@bethvogt
Some stories are worth retelling.
This is one of those stories. It’s a true story, one I love to share with others because what happened 21 years ago changed me and influences me to this day. Let me tell you why I love hummingbirds.
***
After eight years living in Niceville, FL (yes, Niceville), my roots ran deep into Florida’s sandy soil. My kids were happy. My husband was happy with his job at Eglin Air Force Base. And me? I was happy too.
I treasured a wonderful circle of friends, taught women’s Bible studies and helped lead the women’s ministry at my church. My phone rang constantly – one of my kids labeled my pantry with a sign that read “Phone Booth” because I often retreated there to enjoy uninterrupted conversations.
If God had pushed the pause button on my life, I wouldn’t have complained.
But I know there’s no pause button — especially for a military family. The time came for us to PCS, military slang for move.
“I want you . . . to go to Colorado,” the military, aka “Uncle Sam,” declared.
What? Move from the land of white sand and emerald waters to a landlocked state with not a drop of humidity?
Several months later, we pulled out of our driveway. I drove one of our cars, suitcases in the back, my two young daughters in the middle seat. My husband drove our van, with our son riding “shotgun.” I cried for an hour — all the way to the Florida and Alabama border. The only reason I pulled myself together was the alarm on my daughters’ faces—and their anxious chorus of “Mom, are you going to be okay?”
My car may have been pointed west, but my heart’s compass did not budge off of south. I burned emotional heel marks all the way from Florida to Colorado.
After telling my husband, “I can’t live in base housing again,” our Florida home didn’t sell. Not wanting to juggle two mortgages, we chose to live on base. As I clambered over my bed to get to the miniscule bathroom, I tried to banish images of my large, comfortable still-on-the-market Florida home. Only two people could fit in the galley kitchen at one time. Colorado weather assaulted my body — in mid-July I crawled into bed wearing sweats and socks. July!
Most of the family settled into Colorado easier than I did. My husband had a job to go to — a reason for being there. And once my kids started school and began making friends, they had a reason to be there too.
I struggled to adjust.
One morning at the base gym, I pounded out my loneliness and frustration on the stair-stepper. I also prayed. I’d never been much of a “Could you send me a sign” kind of pray-er, but I was desperate for a tangible bit of hope.
God, I need some encouragement. I need to know You love me, even though You let my life turn upside down. Could You give me a sign? Nothing big. How about a hummingbird? Would You send one to show me that You love me?
With my hope set on a small, fleet-winged bird, I gathered up my water bottle, gym bag, and car keys and headed home.
Several days later, I visited a nearby nail salon for a manicure. Gail, the nail technician, introduced herself, and directed me to her work area. Walking down a narrow hallway, I rounded a corner — and stopped short.
At her worktable she had set up an adjustable, white architect-style lamp. Dangling from the arm of the lamp was a crystal hummingbird.
My sign!
That wasn’t all. On the wall behind her table hung a hummingbird calendar. Next to the calendar was a stained-glass image of yet another tiny, ruby-throated bird. The final touch? Taped to the wall beneath the picture were the words: God loves you. I think God wrote his answer to my prayer in black and white so I didn’t miss it.
Since my hummingbird encounter at Gail’s shop, I’ve scattered reminders of God’s love throughout my house. A crystal hummingbird adorns a vase in my dining room. Another dangles from the lamp in my office, and yet another handcrafted hummingbird hangs from my car’s rear view mirror. Whenever my family hikes in the Colorado mountains in the early spring, my ears tune to the sounds of hummingbirds in flight. And whenever I hear the whir of hummingbird wings, I hear God whispering, “I love you.”
Choosing to Open Our Hearts to Encouragement http://bit.ly/30pWUcE #faith #perspective Click To Tweet
'My faith helps me understand that circumstances don't dictate my happiness, my inner peace.' Quote by Denzel Washington http://bit.ly/30pWUcE #encouragement #faith Click To Tweet
*Photos by the amazing LisaAnne Meeter.
Comments 14
Since that uprooting, (and the ones before), you’ve weathered many transitions with beautiful results. I don’t know all, but I love all I do see of your CO life and home. Yes, choice. Key requirements in any good road forward.
Author
Good morning, Dee: That moment taught me to open my eyes and ears to God’s presence and provision — His love for me at all times, no matter my circumstance.
I suppose that I could be upset
with things as they may be,
but I will not despair abet
even though they slay me.
“You’ve lost so much!” ’tis said by some,
“Now, please, curse God and die!”
Yes, nights are hard, but day is young,
and I’m still gonna try.
Maybe there is no tomorrow,
but there’s sure no yesterday,
and I’ll use all the strength I borrow
to help the future on its way.
Or maybe they’re right, it’s God’s Green Mile,
but why not walk it with a smile?
Author
Andrew: I just realized something as I read your sonnet: you live out loud the truth that God’s mercies are new every morning. No matter what you face — and you face quite a lot every single day — you choose God’s grace and strength at the start of each day, enabling you to begin anew with fresh faith and courage.
Yes God cares and hears and answers. Praise be to ABBA God.
Author
Mary: Truth. Precious truth.
what a wonderful example of faith.
Author
Denise: Faith … and God’s provision, yes. 🙂
God made His presence tangible. A beautiful story, Beth.
The part that hit me was, “My car may have been pointed west, but my heart’s compass did not budge off of south. I burned emotional heel marks all the way…” I’m still in the heel marks part of my journey. I know that if I would fight for peace as tenaciously as I’m fighting my current season, I wouldn’t keep wearing out my soles.
Author
Bernadette: God knows our hearts even better than we do. And he offers grace to us — even more than we offer ourselves. So be gentle with yourself right now and give yourself time and space to adjust. Transition is difficult and painful.
I love your story of trusting God. I would have never guessed you were from Florida but a town called Niceville, yes!
Author
Oh, Daphne, you make me smile. 🙂
I love your story Beth. I also got goosebumps from the reply’s of the other friends.
Having a tough time with my “Heel marks”. But and even tougher time with finding the path ahead.
This makes me pray harder and trust more.
Love you ALL
Author
Sandy: Finding the path ahead is difficult at times — but I know you and you desire to trust God and seek His heart. He does promise to go before us.