The Hummingbird

            Do you have a special sign from God? A sign that you know is personally meant just for you? I do. It might be finding a perfect feather on my path that tells me everything will be all right. Or the appearance of a shiny coin to let me know I don’t have to worry about money. Best of all, it’s a hummingbird that shows up when I’m having difficulties in my life—when I need a spiritual lift and reassurance of God’s love for me. For some Native Americans, it means good luck, hope, and joy.

           I had serious financial challenges. I had just broken up with my boyfriend, Michael. Then when I suspected my supervisor was stealing, I told the company boss. Instead of investigating my claim and getting rid of him, they got rid of me! Not only was I grieving the loss of my sweetheart, now I was also out of work and money.

          To pay the rent, I needed income quickly, so I took the first job offer that came along—a garden center sales job I’d done twenty years before. I was frustrated and frazzled with the complex computer system. I’d been trained as a therapist and I wanted a counseling career and this busy retail position was not it.

          After a month of low-paying manual labor, my back hurt, my feet ached. I felt downhearted, trapped, and exhausted from the toil. Dreading another tough day, I trudged off to work. I walked along the sidewalk, head down, toward the parking lot, when a radiant hummingbird appeared on my path. It fluttered directly in front of me, flying at eye level to get my attention—dancing magically on the wind. I admired its incredible beauty.

“Hello, aren’t you beautiful.”

In response to my remark, it flitted up, down, and spun around, flaunting its glorious neon green back. I felt all light and giddy inside, like a delighted child, so amused by this funny creature as it swirled in circles to entertain me. My little performer made me belly laugh. It was such a stark contrast, I knew then I had to leave that crummy job to be happy.

Because that lovely hummingbird inspired me with jubilation, I went in that very day and quit my job in full faith. My sign from the hummingbird let me know I was going to be all right, and I was. Within a week I had an exciting new job offer at a counseling center that paid better and more importantly, I loved it.

A true story from Sprinkles from Heaven - Stories of Serendipity by Carolyn Jaynes, M.A