How Do Birds Handle Change?

Bird watching has always fascinated me and brought hours of enjoyment. As a young girl, my parents pointed out different kinds of birds and shared interesting information about the creatures. From the little Carolina Wren to the large Bald Eagle, each bird has its own way of handling life. What happens when the temperatures drop or rise? How do birds handle change?

I remember making homemade bird feeders in elementary school. A pinecone covered in peanut butter and seeds, with a string attached to the top, was one of my favorite projects. Those unique treats hung from trees in the neighborhood. The kids would watch to see which one had the most visitors. Nowadays, Bop and I create the same feeders with our grandkids. Collecting pinecones in the neighborhood and making crafts from them brings fun and laughter, but there is always a mess on the floor.

Recently, I bought a new tray feeder for the tree in the front yard. The old one had worked well for a long time. Now, I wanted a different one. The bird store offers a variety to choose from, making the decision difficult. 

Over the years, I’ve learned some interesting facts about birds. Some birds don’t mind change. They will fly right next to me as I pour seed. Others wait and sit on branches watching until I go back inside the house. I wonder why some creatures are shy, and others are bold.

Another unique quality about birds is that they seem to know when a dramatic change in the weather is approaching. The weather forecasters in the Lowcountry are predicting a sharp drop in temperatures tonight.

I looked outside and saw birds of all sizes and shapes flying back and forth to the new tray. I sense that they know change is on the way. Watching from inside the house, I smiled and thanked God for these birds that make me happy.

Birds handle change by preparing for what may be coming. Other animals handle change in their own ways. What about people? How do we handle change?

Rowan and Eden adapt well to changes in their schedule. Rowan likes to have a calendar with events posted on the refrigerator. Eden goes with the flow. Both grandkids have unique ways to handle change.

I keep several calendars with dates posted. There are calendars on the wall, in my purse, on the computer, and on my phone. I adjust when change happens. Life brings many changes, and how we handle those changes can help us thrive.

We can learn valuable lessons from the birds. We can prepare and stay aware of our surroundings. I have often said, “God taps me on the shoulder three times when He is trying to get my attention. If I don’t listen, He hits me in the head.” Haha!

How do you handle change? With a smile, grumbles, or contentment?

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

I Thank God for Grandkids and Hummingbirds

“Wow! We haven’t met our out-of-pocket amount for the year. Usually, by June, we’ve surpassed that cost.” My husband stated as he looked at the insurance benefits statement that had arrived in the mail. I was glad that neither one of us had been ill or needed to visit the hospital ER. 

I smiled and spoke words that would backfire on me in a matter of days.
“That means we are healthy. We haven’t been seriously sick or in pain this year.” 

Saturday mornings are what I call “changing bed sheets morning”. I like to change the sheets early in the day. There is something fresh and renewing about clean bed linens.

On June 14th, I removed the sheets from the bed and prepared to refresh the bed with clean, crisp linens. This time, I would use the set with bright blue flowers and a white background. Beautiful.

Finding the corner area of the fitted sheet, I reached down to tuck the material under the mattress. A sharp, shooting pain like I’ve never experienced spasmed my lower left back. I’ve had many lumbar spasms over the years. This pain was worse than anything I had endured in the past. I screamed. Tears flowed. I yelled for Alan to help me.

He walked into the room and tried to begin comforting me. Alan helped me on to the bed by holding my legs in a position where I could move. This was bad, very bad. Tears continued. Prayers began. 

My thoughts began to wander as I thought of the grandkids. What would happen to all of the fun activities we had planned for them? When would I be able to play again? More tears.

A few hours passed as we waited to see if my body would calm. Pain persisted. Alan suggested a trip to the emergency room. Getting me in the car was difficult, but Alan managed. I’m thankful for the strength God gave my husband during this time.

The ER staff ordered scans and administered pain and anti-inflammatory medicine. Nothing helped. I was sent home with a referral to a neurosurgeon and a reminder to contact my pain doctor. More tears from me.

Over the past two weeks, I have visited the pain doctor, my family doctor, had two MRIs, a CT scan, and we’re still trying to figure out what to do about the pain. 

On a recent morning, I was able to sit at my desk and look outside. There, in the midst of my pain and complaining, God sent hummingbirds. God knows that hummingbirds are my favorite. This time, there were many flying wonders. Not one, not two, but many. God knew what I needed. Hummingbirds make me smile. I thank God for the hummingbirds.

Alan and I miss being with Rowan and Eden and their parents. Alan reminds me that this is temporary and we will be able to play one day soon. I love his positive outlook.

Another blessing is video chat with the grandkids. They understand that Mimi can’t play at this time. Eden has tried to send me some ice packs for my back. Rowan has tried to make me laugh. Precious children.

I will continue to rest, keep my body moving even if it’s slow moving, and I will continue to pray.

I’ll keep watching for the hummingbirds. I’ll praise God every day because I know He is with me.

How are things in your life? Any praises or prayer requests?

Blessings,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

Fire Hydrant Protectors

Various sights capture my attention while I gaze out of my office window. A hummingbird feeder is positioned so I can enjoy the beautiful creatures as they drink nectar. The sidewalk is in full view so I can notice visitors coming to the front door. Neighbors pass by walking their dogs. On a cool morning, a new sight appeared. I was surprised to see “fire hydrant protectors”.

A white pickup truck arrived in slow motion. Two men left the vehicle. One held large papers that could have been a map. The other person wore a hard hat. They opened the back of the truck and placed the documents on the bed. Looking down, each man pointed to spots on the paper. 

Another truck pulled up behind the first one. Four men left that vehicle. Each person wore protective outerwear, including a mask and gloves. My curiosity was getting the best of me. I wanted to know about these people and why they were in our neighborhood. Watching intently, I witnessed something I’d never seen.

The two men in the first truck appeared to be the leaders. Motioning with their hands, they pointed to a fire hydrant. Next, the four men from the other vehicle moved. The scene looked like an action movie.

Each person had an assignment. Two leaders. Four workers. I sat in amazement at what happened next. With precision and dedication, each guy went to work completing his task. The first guy retrieved a tarp from the back of the truck. The second guy brought out a huge can with a long hose. The third guy used spray paint to mark a circle around the fire hydrant. Then, the first and second men held up the tarp next to the hydrant. The second guy began spraying a dull brownish-gray color on the hydrant.

The men holding the tarp ensured that no paint would land on our neighbor’s vehicles parked in their driveway. What a great method! Everyone had a job.

They worked quickly and efficiently. Moving like stealth figures, their work was completed in a few minutes. The men entered their vehicles again and moved to the next hydrant.

Before I could complain to my husband about the new color of the hydrants, another vehicle arrived and the answer was provided. This team was waiting for the fresh paint to dry. Next, a fresh bright red was applied.

I was so impressed with how the teams worked together to complete their tasks. 

Their efforts were greatly rewarded with a job well done.

The men never knew I was sitting in my office watching their every move. I’m thankful for their hard work and attention to detail. Yes, there was a bit of red paint on the grass, but that will disappear when Spring arrives and the yard covers begin growing.

How hard do we work at our jobs or passions? What happens when we work together to share His love? Do we pay attention to the way we interact with others? 

I pray that I work as hard as those men painting the fire hydrants. I pray that the glory of God will always shine in my words and actions.

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson.

A Visit with Nature

A Visit with Nature

“Where are you going? Do the plants need water again?” I hear these questions several times a day when I gather my garden gloves and empty milk jug to head outside. My answer is usually the same. “I’m stepping outside to visit with nature.” 

The heat index has risen to 117 recently. Families in the neighborhood are staying inside. No bicycles, toys, inflatable pools, or other summer playthings are found in yards. The sounds of summer have quieted while everyone stays inside to stay cool. 

Thunder rolls in the clouds on some mornings. Yesterday, the loud booms could be heard for hours. Lightning lit up the sky. Yet, the rain didn’t fall. The sky grew darker, the wind started blowing leaves off of trees, and I continued to look out of the windows for any raindrops that might be coming.

While listening to the rain tapping on the roof, and watching the trees sway back and forth, I noticed how things were changing in nature. The birds stopped singing. Hummingbirds stopped visiting the feeders. The frogs in the forest were quiet. A storm was coming.

Finally, after hours of waiting, heavy downpours filled the ponds and streets with water. The storm rolled through and when it was gone, life began to emerge from the quiet hiding places. A beautiful fog sat above the neighborhood ponds. Birds sat on the branches of trees and shook their wings. Hummingbirds returned to the feeders. The tree frogs made loud sounds as if they were alerting every creature that the storm had passed.

I stepped outside of the house and saw one flower pot turned over. The wind had whipped the pot out of its normal resting spot. Placing it back into the regular nesting spot, I was ready for a visit with nature.

With garden gloves in my pants pocket, I was ready to work. There’s a special pair of tennis shoes that I use when I’m working in the dirt. I marked them with a “G” for “garden”. My previous work shoes had an “O” for “outside”. 

My visit with nature included pausing and thanking God for the rain, the cooler temperatures during the storm, and His blessings and protection. After heavy rainfall, things look different. Leaves drip tiny droplets onto the ground. The mulch in the flower bed has been displaced and spread across the yard. Mushrooms begin to form in the soil. The old has washed away and the new is coming.

I thank God for His provisions. What a wonderful time I enjoyed during my visit with nature.

Resting in His promises brings peace and comfort.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Laughter can come after a storm, too. While I was basking in the joys of nature, a frog hopped in front of me as I walked in the grass. I screamed, jumped, and then laughed. I thanked God for the laughter, too. “It’s always a story with the Henderson’s.”

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

Hold On Mimi! Have Patience!

Lowcountry weather has tricked me again. Every morning, I check my phone app to get the latest updates on temperatures, winds, and barometric pressure. January brought cool nights and warmer days. February continues with Spring-like weather. A bit of rain here and there. Clouds on some days and bright sunshine on other days. When will Spring arrive? Will the forecasters have the correct predictions?

The coastal area of South Carolina hasn’t experienced a deep cold snap this winter. No snow or ice, and only a few days of below-freezing temps. Will that trend continue? I enjoy the differences in each season. The cold invigorates my body, but I’m happy to go inside and have a cup of warm tea when my bones begin to ache. The heat of summer and the sun baking on my skin feels good until the sweat and humidity become unbearable and I venture inside the house to cool down with air conditioning and a glass of cold tea.

Where is my patience? Why do I want to hang the new hummingbird feeders at the first rise in temperatures? Am I missing something that God is trying to share with me?

Last week, I ordered two new hummingbird feeders. The box arrived and I couldn’t wait to hang them on the pole in the front flower bed and the pole in the backyard flower bed. That was Thursday. Today is Monday. The feeders continue to sit on the kitchen counter. Why haven’t I asked Bop to help me hang them outside? 

I paused and prayed. I asked God for the answer to why I was waiting to place the beautiful red and yellow food stations outside. Then, I smiled as I woke up this morning and checked my phone. Rain and cold weather are forecasted for the next few days.

Yes, the little hummers will visit the area in the rain. Yes, they have visited in the cold. God knew I should wait a few more days to prepare the sugar nectar and fill the globes. God was saying, “Hold on Mimi. Have patience.”

So, I will wait until I feel the nudge from God. I will wait to display those feeders. God knows what is best for the hummingbirds. Perhaps if they saw the red nectar too soon, their flight pattern would be disrupted. God knows what the birds need. God knows what we need.

Now, I wait patiently and hope for warmer days and sunshine. Those days will come. As for now, the beautiful feeders sit on the kitchen counter waiting to be used.

I feel like a young child with new toys. I want to play with them. But, I will wait for the best time to take them outside.

Do you enjoy watching the hummingbirds? When do you hang your feeders?

“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.” (Psalms 50:11 NIV)

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson