To BEE Or Not To BEE
Now I know that I’m not allergic to bees. One of the many takeaways from having a small swarm of honeybees in my house.
It was late afternoon. I was working on my laptop at the kitchen table while my daughters played in the swimming pool. I noticed a mild buzzing and assumed it was a fly that had snuck in the house. Something buzzed near me and I lightly swatted it away, not thinking much of it. I kept working for another ten minutes, not paying attention to the flying creatures trapped behind the shutters of the nearby windows.
I called the girls inside to get ready for dinner and didn’t think anything of the light buzzing and the occasional flying creature. As we sat down to eat, we noticed more flying creatures.
“There’s bees in the house, Mom!” my youngest daughter cried.
I looked up and saw about a dozen bees flying around the kitchen, horrified that I’d written them off as a few flies. I couldn’t figure out how they’d gotten inside the house.
I quickly trapped any that landed, covering them with plastic cups until I could release them outside. More continued to swarm as the numbers doubled.
My daughters having been stung prior, they were panicking so I sent them upstairs to safety while I attempted to figure out how to get them out of the house. I said a quick prayer, asking to know what to do and for the angels to help me get these bees out. I trapped more in the window shutters as my daughter yelled down that Google said that bees are attracted to light. I quickly instructed them to close all the shutters, doors, and turn off all the lights upstairs, following my own instructions downstairs. I then propped the back door open so that the bees would have a clear path outside. Hunting bees in the dark was not easy - I had to follow the buzzing sound. (That sound still makes me a little jumpy!)
“There’s a bee in my room!” my daughter shrieked.
I ran upstairs just as both of my daughters barricaded themselves in one of the closets. I trapped the bee in the shutters in her room and instructed the girls to stay put until I could get the bees out.
Back downstairs, I noticed some of the bees had gone back outside, but still more flew around the kitchen or gathered on the windows. I hurried and Googled how to get these bees out. Apparently, bees like sugar water, so I quickly made a trap (which they ultimately ignored).
I opened the shutters, and kept the door open and waited. Not many found their way out.
As I was attempting to get the bees safely outside, I noticed there were several groups.
the ones that went out the door and stayed out.
the ones that found the light at the window, but wouldn't find their way to the open door.
the ones that landed and remained, and were thus trapped.
the ones who continued to aimlessly fly around, not finding the light.
I turned to Google again to find out how long they survive when trapped indoors. If they are cold and without a food source, they’ll die indoors after a few hours. I cranked down the AC and just had to be patient. I didn’t want to kill the bees since I know how important they are to our ecosystem, but at the same time I didn’t want them in the house.
I trapped and released several more and tried coaxing them outside. Still dozens were on the windows not finding their way to the open door. Thankfully, they were mostly contained to the kitchen and entry. As I walked back and forth, I heard a buzzing near my ear. I turned, but quickly realized one was on me. I tried to extricate it, but ended up being stung.
After I took care of the sting site and applied a cold compress, my patience was gone. The bees needed to be out of the house and they weren’t leaving on their own. I grabbed the first spray bottle (disinfectant) I could find from under the kitchen sink and started spraying any bees that had landed on walls, counters, windows, and the floor.
Once I didn’t hear any more buzzing and all the bees had died, I checked on the girls and told them it was safe. We reheated our dinners and before I sat down, I had the thought to dump out my can of Dr. Pepper. As I did, a bee carcass tumbled out with the liquid. Glad I listened to that prompting.
During dinner, we talked about what happened. The girls had said they were praying that the guardian angels would keep us safe, which they did. For as many bees as there were and for me to only be stung once (and not be allergic) was a miracle. The girls were scared, but they leaned on each other, prayed, and listened to hymns to calm down.
Looking back on this experience, I realized what a great spiritual learning opportunity it was.
Christ “is the light and the life of the world; yea a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.” (Mosiah 16:9). Looking at the bees in this context:
The ones that went out the door and stayed out.
These bees found more light, life, and freedom because they followed the clear path. When we find Christ and follow Him, we are free.
The ones that found the light at the window, but wouldn't find their way to the open door.
These bees were stagnant and could only receive small amounts of light because they did not take the clear path. Eventually some found their way out, but the ones that did not were neutralized. When we find Christ, but do not take the steps to follow, we may not find our way and become trapped.
The ones that landed and remained, and were thus trapped.
These bees didn’t even look for the light. They were trapped in the darkness until they were forced to the light when I released them outside. Sometimes we are trapped in trials before we are forced to find the light and the only way out is our Savior.
The ones who continued to aimlessly fly around, not finding the light.
These bees didn’t bother looking for the light. They were neutralized, stuck in the darkness and were okay with that.
The Spiritual Symbolism of Bees
Bees are important to our ecosystem. Honey contains all the substances necessary to sustain life.
Biblically, bees are a good omen. They symbolize God’s love, strength, and blessings. They are a reference to Christ. Bees also symbolize teamwork, focus, hard work, generosity, and prosperity.
The Lessons We Learned
My family learned many lessons that day.
The power of prayer. The situation could have gone very badly. I was able to get the bees out of the house without killing all of them and without sustaining more than one sting. We can turn to the Lord when things are scary or hard.
Working together. We worked together for solutions and the girls worked together to comfort each other since I couldn’t be there to do it.
We can do hard things. It was a traumatic situation and we learned that we could get through it (with heavenly help). Problems don’t go away - we must take action.
God will help us. He sent angels to guide and protect us.
Guided by the Spirit. Just as I was guided to the bees by their buzzing, the Spirit guided me through what I needed to do for this situation.
In What Ways Are We Like the Bees?
While this was a teaching moment for my family, it can be applied to all. I mentioned the four types of bees and how that relates to our relationship with Christ. Which group would we fit in? Are we able to find the light and follow it? Do we wander in the dark? Do we see the light, but don’t step toward it?
I know that when we follow the Light, we are blessed. Christ will not lead us astray. He knows and loves each of us individually and wants us to find and follow Him.
Sending you love and light,
