Lesson from a Woodpecker

In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never give up.  Never give up.  Never give up.”  That must be the rallying call of the woodpeckers in our neighborhood, some of whom have decided the vent holes beneath our eaves are the perfect location for a new house.  We’ve had one pesky fellow trying to widen the access to our attic.  He managed to get through the wire mesh and pull out some insulation.

We wouldn’t have known he was at work if he hadn’t decided to put his machine gun beak into our bedroom wall.  I leapt off the exercycle, ran to the wall and pounded back – with both fists.   Silence.  For one whole minute.  I was no sooner back to cycling, than he was back at work.  This time I ran out of the room, down the stairs and out through the back door.  He fluttered calmly away and took a break on the oak down the hill.  I know he was smirking.  I could feel it.   I went back inside.  By the time I reached the bedroom, he was back at the wall, probably laughing.

Such persistence! 

He reminds me of the worries that can come ra-ta-tatting at my mind, usually late at night.   The doubts and fears flutter in, and I try to ra-ta-tat some kind of solution.  Then I remember: God is God, and I’m not. Which means I have a decision to make:  keep ra-ta-tatting or let go and let God work.  

We called Stan, our contractor, and he sent out Alan to put metal vents covering those holes. 

Prayer covers those vulnerable places.  It redirects my thought processes and keeps me focused on Jesus.

The woodpecker has started drilling his way into the telephone poll across the street, which serves to remind me to be diligent in prayer and not let worries flutter back and nest in my head. 

2 Corinthians 10:5