My four year old asked me a great question today.  “Mommy, do you know how bees make a hive?”  Naturally, I began wracking my brain for any and all apiary information.  I was just about to suggest we look it up when he smiled at me and said:  “A little at a time.”

I love that. Just when I am beginning my preparations for all kind of holiday magic: when my mind is awash with lists that must be filled and checked twice, my sweet child reminds me of the efficiency tip of nature’s most hardworking creatures.  There are few creatures even half as industrious as the mighty little bee and how does he do it? How does he make the world’s sweetest work product?  A little at a time.

I think many of us run around like busy bees trying to get as much done as possible.  We make lists, run errands and even delegate.  We dream of a peaceful, meaningful experience with the families we love, but we don’t have much time or energy left to enjoy it.  We plan and hurry about so that we will have time to enjoy later, when all our work is finally finished.  When the gifts are wrapped and the meals are cooked.  When the cards are mailed and the photos are taken.  Then we will relax, tell stories and actually taste the food we prepared.  As though we have to earn the holiday we lavish on those around us.

Personally, I think there is nothing as sweet and wonderful as honey.  It makes just about everything better, from hot biscuits to sore throats.  It is pleasure and happy times and all the comforts of home, available in spoon size portions.  You know, a little at a time.  Too much is a sticky situation to say the least, but, a little, well you get it.  A lot of great things are like that.  Chocolate, guests, even time alone; all kinds of wonderful is wonderful especially because, it is short lived.  Maybe what makes it precious is its scarcity.

This time of year is precious too.  Not just for our kids, but for us as well.  It is a time to remember that miracles do happen.  Miracles of faith that reveal the power and love of God and miracles of joy when our celebrations bring us all closer together.  Not to mention the miracle of finding the last one in the store and discovering that it actually is the right size.  How about one more miracle?  How about the miracle of having fun right along side our kids?  Discovering again all the wonder of the season that might have been lost in the shuffle of just trying to survive the season.

Well, what if the bees were right?  What if the greatest secret of success is to follow their example and work a little at a time?  Just a thought, but I think I would like to try it.  I would like to do enough each day to be able to enjoy some of the magic I hope to create.  A little at a time, make a memory and share a smile.  A little at a time, follow tradition and start a tradition of my own.  A little at a time, show my kids that joy is a gift we receive, not a goal we accomplish.

 

Have fun and remember to keep your face to the sun and deal with the shadows a little at a time.

 

Marilynn

Categories: General

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