Whatever brings you joy! Hummingbird Manifestations

“Call it forth,” the comforting and strong voice of the Spirit said to me unexpectedly.

“What!? I can’t do that!” my ego mind responded reflexively. “Or can I? Really?” my higher self broke through. Peace and assurance was the silent answer.

“I call forth a hummingbird now, thank you,” I said with conviction at first then trailing off with my sheepishness kicking in. The day was full of sunshine as I watched my youngest kids play in the backyard. I was rocking on my swing and noticing the American Kestrels swooping after each other over the yard next door. I had been looking at them and lamenting how they were the reason I didn’t have any hummingbirds visit my flower gardens.. I had planted a lot of flowers that I knew hummingbirds would love to feed on only to find out that the kestrels that nest in the neighboring tree each year loved to feast on hummingbirds. They were a favorite treat of theirs. At least the kestrels were magnificent even if I can’t have what I really want. That was when the voice of the Spirit broke into my thoughts. It was so clear that it felt like it was coming from someone right next to me.

I looked around. No hummingbird was floating in the sky right in front of me. My ego again jumped in with talk of feeling silly. I ignored it and gathered the kids for lunch and naps.
It was several hours later when the kids and I were back outside. I was watching Jacob on the monkey bars when the Spirit said spoke again and said, “Look up.” I moved my eyes to a bare branch above me where a tiny green hummingbird was sitting. Joy filled my heart. The Spirit said, “You can ask for and call forth anything that brings you joy.” As I marveled at that thought the next one came through, “Whatever brings you joy brings God joy.” My eyes filled with tears because I felt the truth of those words enliven me at a cell level.

That began my relationship with hummingbirds. They show up whenever I ask or whenever there is a major spiritual development that is occuring in my life. They float along side me as I have walked down wooded trails and they make themselves known whenever I travel. I thank them every time and remember the words the Spirit said to me over 15 years ago.

One of my favorite experiences was about five years ago when I was visiting a neighbor two blocks over. She was showing me how much fruit her trees had produced. We looked out the window at them there was a bright ruby red headed hummingbird with a rusty red body. I had never seen one in person that color. Apparently they are rarer, most of them do not stay up this far north.

As soon as I got back to my house I went to tell my mom about it. She was on my back patio reading a book. I asked her if she had ever seen a hummingbird that color and she hadn’t. I said, “I wish it would come visit our feeder.” My mom said, “Well, why don’t you ask it too!?” I smiled and bowed my head and said a prayer out loud. I invited the bird to visit our feeder. I thanked God for how beautiful it was and said I would love to enjoy it again.”

I opened my eyes and in less than 20 seconds the bird was hovering in the air two feet in front of my face. I heard my mom gasp. I don’t think even her great faith thought it would happen so quickly. I grinned and emotion welled in my wide open heart. “Thanks,” I said to God and the bird. “You are beautiful,” I again said to both. It hung for about ten more seconds, its noisy wings whirring, and then flew to our feeder. My mom and I giggled with glee and that particular bird stayed with us all summer.

I love that they look for the sweetness in life. That, literally, they need sweetness in order to survive. I think I am a lot like them in that way. I need brightness and beauty around me to really thrive. I need to find the deliciousness in life in order to really live.

I believe that when you honor and connect with another living thing, especially animals and plants, that they honor and connect back with you. It is the “Namaste” in action. The divine in me saluting the divine in you.

The picture that I shared is of a card that my husband recently gave me for my birthday. He honors my connection with the hummingbirds because he has seen it in action so many times. Plus, he has his own stories to do with hawks. Maybe I will tell that tale another time. Have you ever had a sacred experience with an animal? Or do you have an animal totem that has connected you to the divine? I would love to hear your share!