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According to the experts, hummingbirds are expected to leave the part of central Texas where I live on October 10th. As I write this on October 22nd, the hummingbirds have already been gone from our ranch for about three weeks. That means that they left ahead of schedule! Nonetheless, they are gone, urged on by some internal drive that has given them instructions to head south for their winter home. With their internal time clocks, these small creatures will return in April.
Do we have an internal drive that turns us to God? When we are faced with strife, trouble, or joy, what is our response?
This week, I had lunch with some friends, several of whom have young grandchildren. Nearly to a person, these friends said something like, "Well, our children had our grandchildren baptized, but they don't go to church nor do they see that their children attend any kind of church-related activities."
That discussion causes me to ask where our young people turn when they face life's most difficult problems. If they were raised in a practicing Christian family, does their internal drive cause them to consider seeking God's help, His strength, and His answer?
The answers to that question will probably vary from family to family, and from child to child. For those of us who were raised with the idea that the ultimate answer to all our pain and questioning is given by God, we cannot imagine life without the comfort of knowing that God is ultimately in control. We take this Scripture to heart:
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Where else can we turn but to God? We know that all human answers are frail and incomplete.
Prayer: Father God, hear our prayers and help us to turn to You always. In so doing, may we set the perfect example for families and friends. Amen.
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Thanks for sharing, Saranne.
Amen and amen! Well said. Blessings.
Amen Punky! Great word today.
Blessings
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Welcome to the group, I enjoyed your message.
(Ontario, Canada)
Thank you, Saranne. Unfortunately, this is true for many of my family members.
As a grandmother, I continue to pray for my children and grandchildren in moments of crisis and need.
Thank you, Saranne,
For todays’ devotion, I like it.
(Québec)
Thank you for today’s devotional. I raised my children within a church family but like so many our great grands are never in church. But constantly in my prayers.
Thank you, Saranne, for your devotional this morning. Yes, our world surely needs more people seeking the Lord and following His ways these days and thus make the world better. Blessings for writing.
Hi Saranne,
Thanks for the wonderful Devotional today. I will look forward to more of your Devotionals.
Thanks again.
Blessings to you.
(Ontario Canada)
Thank you for your very relevant message. We see the great responsibility that is entrusted to parents to lead their children to Jesus and lovingly make Him the center and head of the home by precept and example. Like Peter said, quoted by John in chapter 6 of his gospel, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”.
Blessings.
Thank you for writing. Our hummingbirds began their journey from central Manitoba in September listening to an internal nudge. I often marvel at them, and all nature really, for the mysteries that drive them. My kids see God all around them but not so much in the actual church structure.
Love the creation but worship the Creator. Teaching continues and writings like yours help. Enjoy November.
Thank you so much. Of our 5 children, only one has joined the church. I pray that they all do for certain know that God is their saviour who loved them, enough to die for them.
You spoke of Hummingbirds. They fly north to Canada as well and then return to the warmer climate. God created an amazing world!! We see many flocks of birds now flying south for the winter months. it is mind boggling.
Again, thank you for the devotional you prepared for us!
(N.S.)
Hi Saranne,
I love hummingbirds and your message is an interesting one. I think that there are people who were brought up in a Christian home and don’t go to church, but still rely on God in their lives. God gave us free will, not an instinct like the hummingbirds, which guides them to go south and in the right direction. With that free will, we don’t always turn to God first as He would like us to do. He offers us so much guidance, comfort, and love when we do.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and encourage us to set good examples. Blessings.
My example will never be perfect, but I do pray for my family, mystified that not one (out of all related to me) has shown any interest in the Faith that is central to my daily living.
But those who live close by DO love the hummingbirds that visit us, 18 floors up in our apartment building. They’ve been feeding on the flowers this summer, but yesterday they returned!
Last winter, there was a “feeding frenzy” which was memorable for all of us, as we celebrated Christmas together.
Thanks, Saranne for the hopeful message that my family WILL one day cluster around “The Living Word”!
May God bless you richly for your encouragement!
(BC Canada)
Good morning!
Your example of young children not being taught about the Lord so hits home.
Two of my adult children are in that ‘boat.’
Now I am 84 that child within me often surfaces reminding me of what I learned at Sunday School. The absolute trust and certainty of that teaching and I felt then.
How different for these generations!
By the way here on Vancouver island in British Columbia our Annas hummingbirds stay 365 days a year. When our winter temperatures dip into the minus 10C I wonder how on earth they survive. BUT they return to the feeder relying on unfrozen sugar syrup. Just as we return to His word.
Blessings Saranne.
Hi Saranne
Great analogy! Thanks!
Blessings,
(BC, Canada)