I was recently in the Colorado Mountains where I was attacked by an animal.
Attacked?
The mountains are no place for a soft, urban, city dweller. But I went anyway. There is always danger from the animals:
- The American Black Bear
- Mountain Lions
- A charging Bull Elk
- The North American Chipmunk (don’t laugh)
- The Rocky Mountain Snow Wolf
What Happened?
I didn’t see it coming. You must never let your guard down when out in the natural world. Before I knew it, I’d been attacked.
I reached to feel my leg and my hand came back covered in blood. By covered I mean there was a little on a couple of fingertips.
My friends heard me cry out, “ I’ve been attacked.” They saw the blood and the fear in my eyes, and instantly looked for the threat, but it was gone.
They administered first aid, they got a damp paper towel from the kitchen. I expected a gash, or something worse. No, just a tiny puncture mark. It didn’t hurt. I was brave.
My Friends
My friends said, “Rick, you’ve been victimized by a rogue hummingbird.” And I said, “You’ve got to be kidding?” And they said, “Nope, it’s rare, but it happens. You’re wearing a red shirt and they are attracted to red, and probably confused your white city leg for a feeder.” Uh huh.

I was attacked by a tiny bird flapping its wings at 3,180 times per minute.
I was okay, it could have been an angry wolverine, but it wasn’t. However, my leg had been pierced by the sharp, pointed beak of a confused, rogue bird. In the wild, you can’t drop your guard for a moment.
To Close
Just to end with something worthwhile, I was reminded that Jesus was pierced too. He was pierced in his hands and feet, and his head and side.
From Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”