Who are Your Tontos

Remember the Lone Ranger?  Ever notice how he wasn’t really alone?  He always had his trusty sidekick, Tonto at his side.  Why?  Because there is strength in numbers.

Well there is strength in numbers in bird feeding too.

During fall and winter, some nuthatches, titmice and chickadees search for food together in a “foraging guild.” 

This results in many eyes looking for 1) the now dwindling supply of natural food and 2) potential predators.  Birds in the guild recognize each other’s alarm calls.  This lets the guild keep a collective watch for predators and allows the individual birds to concentrate more on finding food. 

As I read this information, on a piece of promotional literature from a “Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop, it occurred to me just how much like the birds we are when it comes to the need for, and the benefits of working together, capitalizing on the strength in, and benefit of, numbers.

In our personal family and social relationships as well as in the professional and ministry arenas, there are great hazards in “going it alone.”  There are some who wear the badge of independence like it was a badge of honor, a tribute to their resourcefulness and strength.  How amusing that even the small birds understand that it can often be a sign of being stupid.  How much better to develop healthy ties of inter-dependence.  Where each one, recognizing the value of one another, depends upon the other and  where each one makes his or her unique contribution toward the accomplishment of the common good.

There are hazards to being alone.  The Bible says: Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work.  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Written by Irish novelist, Brendan Graham, the lyrics of the song “You Raise Me Up” have commonly been applied to one’s relationship with Jesus Christ.  It may well be appropriately applied in that sense … but I think it is also a tribute to the benefits of friendship … and having at least a “Tonto” along on the journey through life.  I’m so thankful for the Tontos in my life … and for the privilege of being a “Tonto” to others.

“You Raise Me Up”

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up… To more than I can be.

There is no life – no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder,

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up… To more than I can be.