We have been delighted over the last three or four weeks to watch a hummingbird hawk moth busily feeding outside our dining room window while we are feeding inside it. Then I realised something I should have noticed before, namely, bees and other insects busily feeding on flowers do not waste their time coming in through the open windows. Others, with less to occupy them outside, seem to delight in getting stuck the wrong side of a pane even though they came through the open one moment earlier.
This gives us an unflattering illustration of our own behaviour. Give us plenty to occupy us and we focus and stay out of trouble; make us bored and we find ourselves in all sorts of scrapes or indulging in all manner of worries.
Perversely, when we are busy and content, we long for time off, for a break. Give us a break and we soon look for ways to fill time.
Holiday times are almost upon us for all tied to the academic year and others of us too will soon be enjoying our special times. When we do, let’s be thankful for the balance we have in life and spare a thought for those with too much time on their hands, or for those with ne’er a moment to think. Stay out of scrapes too.
A prayer
Lord, there are many things in nature around us to cause delight. Let us learn from the lives of the little creatures that know what they are doing and do it well. We thank you for the things in life that give us purpose and we thank you for times of refreshment. If we are fortunate to have a balance, we pray for those who are either too busy or for whom time hangs heavily. Amen.