The Hummingbird in the Courtyard

READ: PSALM 124:6-8; LUKE 12:22-31

As Valeria and Galena sat in the courtyard, working away at some handicrafts to sell at the market in the next town over, Galena watched the setting sun and pondered their situation. The famine continued with no signs of letting up. Their parents had died several months ago, and the two sisters had to care for each other in their small, impoverished village.

“Galena!” Valeria called suddenly. “Can you help me with something?” Galena set down her work, shook away her thoughts, and came over to where Valeria was leaning over a tiny green hummingbird as it flopped around, struggling with a string tangled around its spindly legs. The bird’s needle-like bill tore at the strand, but the string wound around tighter and tighter.

“Valeria, run and get me a soft rag,” said Galena. When Valeria returned with the clean cloth, Galena draped it over her hand and gently picked up the colorful little bird. The humming sound grew louder as he flapped his long, narrow wings. “Be still, little one.” Galena’s voice was so quiet Valeria could hardly hear her. One twist, two twists. The humming sound quieted, and the stubby body relaxed. Valeria let out a big breath of air when Galena handed her the string and carefully placed the bird on the ground. After resting for a few moments, he took flight.

“Do you remember that story Mama told us,” Valeria asked, “something about how the Creator cared for birds and would do the same and more for humans?” Galena leaned back against the cool stone wall. “Ah yes. The birds, they store no food and gather no crops. Yet the Creator feeds them. And today, we helped that tiny hummingbird because we cared for it. That’s a good reminder. We don’t need to worry because the Creator loves us and takes care of us.”

Valeria twirled the string around her finger. “Did you realize? We freed the bird’s legs from the string, and the Creator came to free us from sin and death!” A smile spread across Galena’s face. “You’re right! We’re not trapped in sin any longer, and we can look forward to eternity with Him, where there will be no more famines, no more sadness. Until then, even when the troubles of life come, we can trust Him to be with us and help us through them.” • A. W. Smith

• When you go through difficult times, do you have any favorite Bible passages that remind you how much God loves you—so much that He became human to die and rise again to beat sin and death so you could be with Him forever? Even when you go through difficult times, He will be with you. You can always talk to Jesus about your worries and rely on Him to take care of you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)