It’s June. Flowers are blooming. The sky seems bluer. Temperatures are kinder. Insects are back in droves... flying, creeping, crawling, slithering. Being a gardener, I’m pretty much used to encountering an occasional worm or beetle while digging. I keep my distance and they keep theirs. We respect each other’s space. It’s only when these insects invade my work space that I become slightly uncomfortable.
Last Sunday one of those beloved creatures affectionately known as a “yellow jacket” entered that very work space. I watched as he buzzed around church during the homily, visiting each chandelier and... finally spotting the choir loft, turned, midflight, making a “bee line” for the organ pipes. By the time I began the offertory hymn, Mr. Hornet had buzzed over to the organ console. It wasn’t long before he decided to land... on the organ keys. As my fingers moved up the keys, he crawled up the keys. I moved my hands to the lower keyboard. He followed. I motioned to the people in the loft to please grab the can of “Raid Hornet and Wasp Spray” that I keep under the pews. Of course, they were following the song in the hymnal and didn’t notice what was happening. Finally, to my relief, the pesky little bee flew off to places unknown, leaving me to play in peace.
Hopefully my “dance on the keys” wasn’t too noticeable to the singing faithful in the pews. My encounter made me think of how, at times unexpected events can change our best laid plans, knock us out of our routine, and a seemingly small challenge can turn into a larger issue in no time at all. It’s how we deal with those unexpected moments that determine their outcome. Should we dance around the problem, confront it head on, or should we simply smile, laugh, and move on?
