“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” ~ Calvin Coolidge
No, not those birds and bees. But, you have to admit, I got your attention. I’m talking about the real birds and bees.
I spent some time on my deck yesterday afternoon. I have one problem and one delight. First of all, my problem. I have carpenter bees this summer that are turning my deck into Swiss cheese. We are going to need to call professionals out to spray and spread powder and block up holes. I can take care of the ones on the deck level; however, off of the deck, we’re a couple of stories high and I don’t think my climbing a ladder would be too wise. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
And now for my delight. Also on my deck is a bird house. I received it three years ago from a crafter at the Fall Altar and Rosary Craft Show. I have had a pair of birds turn the house into their home for the past few years. Right now, the house is full. I hear a lot of chirping of new babies and the parents are coming and going with food for their young. The house is a double entrance house and the entrance on my side of the deck has been blocked by the birds. (I guess birds like privacy as much as humans do.) Yesterday, however, the entrance was opened for a while as the parents were cleaning house. They were taking out soiled material and bringing in new, fresh material to rebuild their nest.
The carpenter bees remind me that, if we are serious about our faith, someone is going to be after us. Oh, it may not be with a can of spray; but, it will be with threats and potential physical violence that may even lead to death. Martyrdom is not a thing of the past. It still takes place.
The birds remind me that our house can always use attending. Sometimes, our hearts and souls get a bit dirty and musty. We need to do all that we can to keep them clean and refreshed so that we can nurture the new life that dwells within. That life, the Life of the Spirit, is something that we cannot take for granted. We must work at it in order to be the kind of people God wants us to be.
The birds and the bees remind me about the virtue of persistence. We need to be persistent in prayer, in good works, in love and service of our God. It is only in persistence that we will ever make any headway. God has been persistent in His love for us. Let us try to be the same for Him this day.
FAITH ACTION: Ask God for the grace that you need to be steadfast in the faith today. Try to encourage anyone you know who may be flagging in the faith.