FRIENDS TO FLY WITH

IT’S ONE OF THOSE RARE

dry, warm and sunny springtime days. My 70-pound Labradoodle, Gage, and I live in a lodge-like community in the Cascade Mountain foothills of the Pacific Northwest USA. We are sitting on the deck outside my apartment door, watching a male hummingbird flash in the sky, wings beating 55 strokes the second, it’s tiny voice squeaking an unintelligible greeting. Though there are still more cool and wet days ahead, typical of the region in which I live, it feels like summer can’t be far off.

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I’M SUPPOSED TO BE RETIRED

but today I’m just tired. ‘Rubythroat’ however is oblivious as to how I might be feeling. With its upper green feathers, purplish wings, and a tail sparkling in late afternoon sunlight, pearl gray under-feathers and bright red throat, it hovers briefly, then lights on the feeder perch. A quick look around is followed by total concentration as it’s long double-tubed tongue draws energy from the feeder.

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Totally absorbed in the soft whirr of wings, Gage and I watch ‘Rubythroat’ back away to a nearby flower.

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JUST AS I AM THINKING

this hummer needs a friend, he darts away. And then he is back again with a female hummer. From the way he dances, darts in and out, up and down, turning summersaults in the air, I gather this may not his best friend yet, but he definitely wants her to be. At last they join each other at the feeder, drinking deeply, ‘Rubythroat’ keeping an eye out for possible danger, both mere inches from where we sit and watch.

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It’s quiet again.

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The quiet comes from within, from being at peace with oneself. All of us. With one another. Drinking deeply.

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Friends do that for each other, you know.

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Suddenly, “Rubythroat“ backs away from the perch and leaps into the sky. Energized, he’ll fly far. And now his friend gently lifts and flys after him. Of course, they’ll be back for a refresher once their strength begins to ebb. It will happen several more times before this day is over. Tomorrow it will be the same. They know their limitations. Most importantly, they know where their feeder is.

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I LOOK AWAY

to talk with my Best Friend. Of course I argue and disagree with him at times, but eventually I come around. He waits for me. Good friends are like that. We want to be our best for one another. Like most friends, sometimes I miss being the friend he can always count on. My Friend never does.

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We talk about things. What do I want? What does he want? Is he pleased with the way things have turned out where we’re concerned? I comment on how he seemed distant today when I shot ‘arrow prayers’ in his direction, seeking wisdom while helping one of his family work through thorny problems. I wanted to hear from him loud and clear. His guidance was what this person needed. I needed it, too. But, today, I wasn’t sure. It gave me pause. I feel totally spent. There’s nothing left to give.

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I NEED A FRIEND TO FLY WITH.

Glancing at the feeder, I see “Rubythroat” is back, this time with his companion from before. Together they drink deeply while keeping an eye out for possible danger. It looks like they are going to be best friends.

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It helps when I fly with my Friend. When I face life’s inevitable uncertainties, Jesus is the Best Friend I could ever have. He wants to be your Friend, too. To invite you into his world, to watch out for you, love and care for you, and forgive you for every sin, big or small, especially the one about avoiding him until now. He offers us his Word and his Holy Spirit, from which we can drink as many times a day as we need.

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God‘s Word says we can “soar with the eagles.” But if, like me, you have trouble with that grand concept, put together a flight plan with some little guys. Like my hummer friends. Once you catch on to what they know, the rest will be easier. Especially if you ask your Best Friend ever to fly along with.

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“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”[1]

May Jesus keep us close.

[1] John15:14-17