God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems. - Max Lucado
My wife and I recently put outside our porch a hummingbird feeder. We placed it where we can see it from our living room windows and our kitchen table. These birds are amazing, how they can beat their wings about 50 times per second. They are the only species of birds that can fly backwards. Hummingbirds drink the nectar found in feeders by moving their tongue in and out about 13 times per second. They can consume up to double their body weight in a day.
With just a turn of its head, a hummingbird explodes in iridescent radiance. Its gorget (the patch of colorful feathers covering its throat) instantly blazes in shades that span the color spectrum; depending on the species. These dazzling colors come from the feather structure rather than pigmentation. Each iridescent feather has tiny spikes that are densely packed with many layers of microscopic structures filled with air bubbles. These structures reflect light, creating color in the manner of sun glinting off an oily film on water.
For me, the hummingbird represents one of our Creator’s coolest creations. We can enjoy how they maneuver, i.e. watching them hover in space while they drink nectar, fly backwards, zoom away in the blink of an eye.
Sometimes when God seems distant on days when I’m feeling down, I like to explore outside and see His creation, so many reminders of things we can enjoy. The blue sky, the variety of plants, birds, animals, a cool breeze, and countless other miracles we often take for granted.
If you are feeling blue, consider taking a walk outside and be reminded of the gifts we have been given in creation.
Genesis 1:20, Psalm 8:3-4, Revelation 4:11
TSK
My wife and I recently put outside our porch a hummingbird feeder. We placed it where we can see it from our living room windows and our kitchen table. These birds are amazing, how they can beat their wings about 50 times per second. They are the only species of birds that can fly backwards. Hummingbirds drink the nectar found in feeders by moving their tongue in and out about 13 times per second. They can consume up to double their body weight in a day.
With just a turn of its head, a hummingbird explodes in iridescent radiance. Its gorget (the patch of colorful feathers covering its throat) instantly blazes in shades that span the color spectrum; depending on the species. These dazzling colors come from the feather structure rather than pigmentation. Each iridescent feather has tiny spikes that are densely packed with many layers of microscopic structures filled with air bubbles. These structures reflect light, creating color in the manner of sun glinting off an oily film on water.
For me, the hummingbird represents one of our Creator’s coolest creations. We can enjoy how they maneuver, i.e. watching them hover in space while they drink nectar, fly backwards, zoom away in the blink of an eye.
Sometimes when God seems distant on days when I’m feeling down, I like to explore outside and see His creation, so many reminders of things we can enjoy. The blue sky, the variety of plants, birds, animals, a cool breeze, and countless other miracles we often take for granted.
If you are feeling blue, consider taking a walk outside and be reminded of the gifts we have been given in creation.
Genesis 1:20, Psalm 8:3-4, Revelation 4:11
TSK
