Table Salt: A Sticky mess

Preparing to extract honey for the first time sounded like a sticky mess. We pulled full frames of capped honey from the boxes and began uncapping. Next, we slid the frames into the extractor and started cranking by hand on our vintage contraption that was generously given to our family by a long-time beekeeper and friend. Taking turns, we continued rotating the handle to spin the frames, forcing the honey to exit the wax cells and fill the barrel. The honey ran from the barrel into a food grade bucket through the gate. The handle had honey on it, the buckets were sticky, and the wood frames were messy too. At first, I asked myself, “What did we get ourselves into?” The honey was extracted and the frames dropped back into the boxes. They were ready to be taken back to the hives.

I quickly learned that bees will take whatever they are given and repair the sticky situation through patience and perseverance. A frame that had been uncapped by a human with a capping knife is sure to make a mess. When I tried my hand at uncapping, I certainly didn’t cut the wax off straight. However, when a frame has all of the honey removed, and is returned to a hive, the colony will get right to work building wax on each cell to even them out again. The frames would be completely cleaned up and reused by the bees. We were only left to clean up the stickiness on the extractor handle, buckets, and knives. I went to get a bucket of hot, soapy water to clean up when my husband stopped me. “The bees will take care of that.” He stated. We moved the sticky items onto the driveway and into the sun. Within a matter of minutes bees zoomed in. They smelled the honey and knew they were needed.

Watching from close by, I saw the honeybees land and dance on certain parts of the items we had sat out. By the evening the bees had returned to their homes, leaving our items completely honey free. The cleanup job was better than what a rag and dish soap could do. I stood in amazement. The bees actually cleaned up 100% of the gooey goodness.

When you find yourself in a mess, do you rush to a bucket of soapy water for a quick fix? Do you allow God to slowly and carefully work in and through you to remove each sticky circumstance? We so often want to hurry and clean stains on our lives so that we look and feel better on the outside, but we don’t want to go through the pain of cleaning up our insides.

Putting ourselves out in the driveway for all to see isn’t always attractive. It’s when we share our story that others will see and know the root of our mess. When we are out in the light, others will swoop in to help remove the stickiness and point us to God. Are you trying to clean up your own messes in your own way or are you making room for God to have His way with your situation? 

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” Philippians 1:6 

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

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Tippecanoe Gazette

Attn: Ashley Spring McCarroll

PO Box 84

Tipp City, Ohio 45371