If we’re connected on Instagram, you might have seen the video of a bee I posted last week. Hubby and I had moved our inside life to the outside, and I called myself working. Really, I was just holding my laptop because my mind was on everything but work. Distracted himself, Hubby took a minute to wander through the yard, and a bee caught his attention. Soon, it created quite a buzz as the star of our home movie.
I loved the way the bee kept doing its thing, despite the presence of a large, very cute blob who didn’t have anything better to do than get in its way. It only seemed to drone, “Um…excuse me,” move around Hubby, and dance right on to the next flower.
This bee worked with a purpose and a direction I’d been seeking God for. Not that I don’t have plenty of folks to tend to, pages to write, and chickens to fry. But I’ve been asking God, “Is this what You want me to do during this time?”
You can say that bee moved me. And not just my feet, for running is my typical reaction to all bugs great and small. I’ve been focused on the what, where, and how we do it—whatever it is—because they look so different today, in the face of predators that seek to steal, kill, and destroy our life and peace. (John 10:10) Yet, I need to train my eyes on the why:
Obeying and glorifying God.
We need to work like that bee. It had a mission that no threat could change. How can I not be about my Father’s business as well? Not the business that keeps my mind off death, but the meaningful callings that keep my eyes on Life, on Jesus.
So, I’ll keep answering to “Mama!” while squashing those predatory thoughts that want me to believe this is “time wasted,” not “time invested.” I’ll keep laughing at jokes that don’t make sense, handling reading, writing, and ’rithmetic, and making sure TD doesn’t drive by the bathtub but actually gets in. I’ll watch family movies during my evening writing time, run around outside with critters, teach piano and Spanish and force TD to read Of Mice and Men (okay, Stuart Little), and have in-depth, faith-driven, life-after-homeschooling conversations with Think Tank and Maven and life-during-quarantine conversations with Songbird and Crusader.
I’ll keep feeding the masses without worrying about the lack of everything bagels and abundance of germs on the grocery carts. While my thumb is still a lovely shade of brown, I’ll gratefully plant and grow what we can…green onions. We’ll bake pizza crusts instead and repurpose leftovers that used to while away in the refrigerator. I’ll order groceries for my parents and have food delivered to people who’ve lost their income. We’ll keep observing communion, but now with Ritz crackers and cranberry juice, and celebrate Easter with extended family, if virtually on Zoom.
I’ll keep reaching out and touching, even if it’s from a distance. I’ve learned more about my neighbors during six-foot wide conversations than I did squeezing next to people in the church pew, I’ve reached oodles of homeschoolers in a thirty-second television interview, and I’ve connected with readers in virtual book groups and through social media. We’re missing the ripping and running we once whined about, but sheltering at home has opened up unexpected opportunities to communicate, serve, and interact.
And I’ll keep praying. For if we keep seeking, calling, and praying with our whole heart, we will find God, and He will answer. (Jeremiah 29:12, 13) Not stumble upon Him like I do with Brown Sugar’s Playmobil pieces scattered thither and yon. But hold Him close, the way Lone Ranger clutches her iPad after she’s scoured the house for it.
In this working and waiting, I will
- be watchful
- be purposeful
- prayerful
- be faithful
- be real
- be helpful
- be loving
- be productive
- be hopeful
- be quiet
- be obedient
- be focused
- and be creative
as I do whatever it is He sets my hands to do.
I just need to be about it, while we yet have the light of the Son.
“And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.” (Nehemiah 4:15-18)
LOVED THIS! This is ME. Oh, how your words spoke to and encouraged my heart. (Also loved the way you wrote: “folks to tend to, pages to write, and chickens to fry.”) 😀 You are a treasure, Robin. A woman after God’s own heart.
Thank you, Susan! Your words are honey to me. <3