With summertime come insects, especially the stinging variety. Mud wasps and bees are ones that venture around our property. But recently, my husband noticed a new development right outside my office window in a brick-facaded alcove (where you normally would keep plants outside). He treated the area a few times after seeing some bee activity and could see where the insects were coming from (a very small hole in the outside brick facade).
But the bees weren't going away. He had planned to wait out til winter to take care of the situation; but with a new remodeling plan being ready to put into action immediately, he knew he had to do something about those persistent buzzers.
Just a few nights ago, at 4:30 a.m., Bill decided to go out there and tackle the problem. He got out his sledgehammer and started knocking out brick from the facade where the bees were previously active during the day. During this process, he uncovered something he was not expecting: a full fledged bee hive, complete with racks of foot high honeycomb! He thought he was just dealing with a very small nest; so this came as a huge surprise to him.
The noise he made during this event was a real surprise to our daughters, who thought someone was breaking into the house at 4:30 in the morning! (Of course, I slept through the whole thing so I was oblivious, until the next morning.) Of course, our cat Sophie was in on the act, at least from a distance, as she sat on the other side of the window in my office and watched the whole affair, keeping Bill company in the process.
Later, as Bill shared with me his discovery, we were both disappointed to know that there was a full hive in there, being unable to save the bees and the honey due to the treatment the hive had already been exposed to. They had picked a spot that wouldn't be safe for them or for us; much to our chagrin.
But one thing it did remind me of was a song, based on the scripture Psalm 19:10 that I learned as a child:
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold.
Sweeter also than honey and the honey comb.
I also thought about the promise to the Israelites about what they could expect from the Promised Land God would give them once they conquered it; it would be flowing with milk and honey.
I thank God for his promises and his ways, which are sweeter than honey, and for his provision. And for a glimpse into the wild, wonderful world of his creation.
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