A friend of mine is starting a bee business and I said I’d make him a painting. It’s really more of a ministry, thus the painting is a contribution. But that’s besides the point. The point is, I’ve been reminded of the wonder of those pesky little creatures among us.
Considering the general abundance of all things, I checked to see if bees come in multiple species. Sure enough: 20,000! The Honey Bee is just one.
And honey, to state a metaphor almost too close to be one, is just the icing on the cake. Pollination is what makes the cake.
“If bees didn’t exist,” it’s been said, “neither would humans.”
Funny, though not unusual, when my nine-year-old granddaughter sees a bee, she panics. I suppose I should too, having had enough stings that one more will put me over the top. But I’ve learned that if we leave them alone, they’ll leave us alone.
And, more, they’ll ensure we are fed.
You know the expression, “A land flowing with milk and honey”? It’s in the Bible 20 times, symbolizing a highly healthy land, complete in its ecosystem, strong in agricultural productivity. The presence of milk-producing animals implies grasses and other vegetation. Honey indicates pollinating creatures . . . bees.
It’s another wonder.
I’ll support the bees by giving them space, and they’ll support me in ways I hardly know.
PS By amazing coincidence, in sitting down to write these words today, Wikipedia informed me that today is World Bee Day!
Here’s the statement: The UN Member States approved Slovenia’s proposal to proclaim 20 May as World Bee Day in December 2017. It was on this day Anton Jansa, the pioneer of beekeeping, was born in 1734. The purpose is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem.
Pretty amazing to have come across that the very day I’m thinking about it!
Will wonders never cease?
Couldn’t resist including this one, partly to show the painting’s size. The gas mask is not a bee helmet, rather something I wear when using a certain fast-drying additive to my oil paints. (Helps preserve the lungs.)
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:40 pm
Another favorite! And one of our Creators amazing wonders! I was in our backyard today saying hello (and next time ‘thank you’) to a busy worker collecting pollen. Thank you for the painting & the commentary.
6:27 am
Hi Hyatt! I love this painting!! Hope this note finds you and Anne both well!
9:12 am
It’s a BEAUTY Hyatt….love this!
10:37 am
Someone has said that milk and honey are the only two things that are exclusively foods.
2:11 pm
I recently communicated with a college fraternity brother who I have not heard from for 50 years. He told me he is an atheist. I think I will send this to him.
2:24 pm
Good job, Hyatt. The mask is kind of frightening tho. Thanx for supporting good ol Bernie. We old friends stick together.
Love and hugs (we can do them on e-mail!), Nancy xoxo
7:39 am
Your painting is “The Bee’s Knees”, to the creation, and glory of our Lord. Beautiful in form, and comments..
1:51 pm
Hi Hyatt,
Nice to see your talents still at work, both in the artwork and writing. Uncle Bernie is getting us all excited about bees and a new approach with the bee business!
5:22 am
That BEE painting is magnificent! Beautiful!! And that it’s a world bee holiday- hilarious, serendipitous, providential to be writing now!
Bees do inspire extra wonder! Their hives so intricate and mathematically perfect, their community life and work so clear and orderly- each knowing it job and fulfilling it, and in fulfilling they set off a perfect chain reaction of purpose in many other things in creation causing them also to Become … A picture of the perfect assembly.
Your name, o Lord, is like honey on my lips. May we all taste the satisfaction that honey signifies knowing all that is possible when each one does his part well. As with the bees, God has invited each of us to walk in the steps he has created and empower us to do, so that we can Taste Of the honey and See the flowers that reveal the goodness of God!
Thank you Hyatt for highlighting these mini flying wonders.
In Awe and Wonder,
Kerry
10:02 am
Thank you for sharing, Hyatt! I want to forward your blog to a grand son who is going to an art school in the fall.