I’ve had a couple of days this summer where I actually was a rescuer and it made me think about a couple of things. One day it was a hummingbird in our garage that couldn’t seem to get out even with the door up. We would try to “push” it out with our presence but it just kept bumping its head against the ceiling and flutter around. It wouldn’t rest either. The temps outside and humidity keep the heat index near triple digits so I knew it needed to get out. So, I grabbed a long landing net and finally it landed on the net long enough for me to walk out into the yard. The kids got to look at it up close for a couple of minutes as it rested and then it was off.
Next it was a toad. Somehow it had hopped into a backpack that was on the garage floor and was kind of freaking us out with the rustling sound because we weren’t sure what it was until we could see it. A quick capture and release into the flowerbed and all is right in his world.
Lastly, was a anole or what we call a chameleon lizard. This one was in bad shape. Again he was in the garage (not sure I want to know what may be next) and the heat was incredible. I found him on a shelf and could not tell if he was alive. His skin was a sickly black and gray color instead of its usual vibrant green and its legs were sprawled out unnaturally. I touched him and he barely moved. When I picked him up he squirmed a short little protest. I took him outside and began to run some water from the hose. When it was cool to the touch I dripped a little on him and set him on a branch. He clung to it with all of its strength it seemed. I caught a little more water in my palm and gently poured it on him. He slightly opened his mouth and I guess his body temperature and health came back because he crawled up the crepe myrtle out of sight.
Then, I remember feeling a little hurt. Not one of those animals thanked me! Of course they couldn’t, they don’t talk (maybe the hummingbird winked but I couldn’t see its other eye). Obviously, I thought of our unique relationship with our Creator. We can talk and communicate on such a deep level. Beyond that, He is the ultimate Rescuer and what is my response? Do I just go on with life, whatever/wherever I want or do I respond in a daily, moment by moment life of gratitude? That’s where I want to be and if I’m ever stuck in a spot I can’t get out of, banging my head against the ceiling I want to know God is there and trust that He can rescue me.