More from Nancy Brady-Wood

Hummingbirds continue to be a source of joy, humor, and lessons at our house each summer. At the beginning of this season, we noticed one that sat in the same spot on the railing for long stretches of time, for days on end. We eventually nicknamed it the “Little Sentinel.” To no one’s surprise, when a new, tougher hummingbird showed up to claim ownership of the feeder, all the poor Sentinel’s efforts were in vain!

There was nothing our flighted friend could have done. It was simply smaller, inexperienced, and not up to the fight. As is tradition, I spoke to it through the window (old habits are hard to break). “Hey, buddy, sometimes things just don’t go your way! Next year you might be the toughest bird on the block! Don’t give up!”

It didn’t take long to connect the dots in my own life, of course. How often have I convinced myself that my hypervigilant attempts at control would create the perfect outcome? How many detailed plans and to-do lists have derailed and ended with tears or turned me into the worst version of myself?

Today, and always, I am blessed to remember that God works in ways beyond our understanding and that when things don’t go my way, he calls us to move forward in faith and in hope. Just recall Isaiah 55:8-9!