Don't Dally

It's the time of year when I watch for the last hummingbird to come through. Each day is a little shorter and often each night is a little cooler, until, one morning I shiver as I stand at the kitchen window, hoping the last of the hummers flew south yesterday so they aren't out in the cold. If I see one at the feeder, tanking up on the sweet feed, I want to tap on the window and say "Don't dally, little one. Fly! Fly fast. You've waited so long that you're in great danger here now."


Even as I look for them, God whispers in my heart. “Don't dally, little one. Fly!”

Being the procrastinator I am, and one who is overly attached to my comfort, I know there are things I dally over, thinking, “Just one more.” I want to draw out the moment, savor it, choosing to forget that sometimes my “savoring” is simply ugly disobedience fancied up to make it more acceptable in my mind.

Other times, I choose to simply not listen for His voice because I'm busy doing my own thing.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6

God gave the hummingbirds instincts so they would know when to move on, and they do. Usually. What about me? Am I tuned in and sensitive to God so I can feel the change and know when to move on? I want to be. I don't want to stubbornly linger and end up shivering and shaking through a cold night I was never meant to be in, yet many times I think I do just that.

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
in paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
and rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
and I will not leave them undone.
Isaiah 42:16 

The key is to stay close to God. To stay in close communion so when He says “Fly!” we hear Him, recognize His voice, and fly.

He's promised to guide us In the way He wants us to go. Just like He's given hummingbirds instincts to know when to fly south for the winter, He's given us a heart to hear Him.

Your ears will hear a word behind you,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21

Lord, help me know when to spread my wings and fly, and lead me in the path You have for me. Please, give me courage and help me to follow Your prompting and trust in You. Thank You for being my guide.

I love You, Lord...in Your Son's name, amen.




Won't you come by Living by Grace so we can chat about what we can learn from hummingbirds at this time of year?

6 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Patty. I've praying that I'd be better at obeying and not dallying, and this is PERFECT timing.

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  2. Love this, Patty! Great timing for me too! :)

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  3. So glad to hear, Cat. Praying for you today!

    Jess, isn't it cool how God orchestrates things in our lives--right down to our reading material? =]

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  4. I'm sitting here watching the tree where all my hummingbirds sit and rest as they flit back and forth to the feeder. I love your analogy, Patty! When is it time to stay? When is it time to move on? How do we discern our Father's voice? Great questions for me to think about. Wonderful post! :)

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  5. Beautiful post, Patty! Love the reminder to stay close to God so we are in tune with what He would have us to do. Isn't it amazing that He gives us so many examples from His creation to apply to our lives? We serve a great God, don't we? Blessings to you!

    *Did you take the hummingbird pix? Absolutely gorgeous!

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  6. Absolutely listening for his voice - and stopping that dallying. Great post, dear.

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