My hose has seen better days. It wasn't the top of the line to begin with, but now it has sprung more leaks than a "secret" session of Congress. When one spraying leak near the handle became a problem, I tried to fix it with tape. Now I have multiple leaks squeezing out around the tape in various locations. They spray out in a shower-like fashion in all directions. If I brought shampoo and soap out with me to water the garden in the morning, I could probably effectively get my shower in were it not for public decency laws!
I've been very grumbly inside in regard to this hose. I wanted to purchase a new one last weekend, but we didn't have room in the budget for it. This morning, tired of being literally dripping wet after watering the garden, I decided to "garb up" before going out. I cut open a kitchen garbage bag to fashion an apron for below the waist and wore a waterproof, bright red, smock-style apron on top (it was a gift made by my older daughter and I love it!). I'm sure I was quite the sight to any neighbors peering out to greet the day!
I was pretty pleased with myself for being able to stay drier--in spite of my leaky hose, but still feeling irritated that I have to deal with the water dripping down my legs. As I was finishing up (and wondering if I could convince my husband that this hose problem falls into the budget category of "emergency fund") when my eye caught what I thought was the largest dragonfly I had ever seen. It was approaching rapidly and seemed headed directly for me. Now, I can appreciate dragonflies as much as the next person--but from a distance please. I was just about to run away when I realized I was wrong. It wasn't a dragonfly...it was a hummingbird. It kept approaching until it was about two feet from me. I'm sure it was attracted by my bright red apron--thinking it had discovered the mother of all flowers! We sized each other up and I could read the curious confusion in its eyes as I admired its beauty. It hovered just in front of me for a good 30 seconds before deciding maybe I wasn't a flower after all--at which point it sped away.
For my part, I was left in speechless awe. I had never been that close to one of these most elusive of God's creatures. It was absolutely breathtaking in its beauty and fragility. I was flooded with that tingling joy that reaches to your toes. What a tremendous blessing!
As I squelched back to turn off the hose, the thought occurred to me that were it not for my red apron, the hummingbird would not have been likely to approach me...and were it not for my leaky hose, I would not have been wearing my red apron...
It's funny how if we are willing to work through a challenging circumstance and make the best of it until it can get better, God can use it to bring us blessings we would not have thought to ask for--like an up-close view of a hummingbird. I think I need to take stock of what other "leaky hoses" I have in my life and find ways to work through the challenges they present instead of just whining and complaining about them. Maybe then, the blessings will start springing out in all directions like...well...a leaky hose!
1 comment:
I love reading your blog. Glad you're back. Good job on the hummingbird!!
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