a wing and a prayer

Something happened to our strongest beehive this winter. I think it was chilled, when I added a honey super in early spring. It was barely going, when I left in April. Re-queening the hive in late May (we were only home six days), we hoped to save it. But that was not to be. When we got home from Seattle at the beginning of July the hive was totally quiet. However, the other two hives were thriving famously. One was so crowded with bees; we knew it would swarm any day. I prayed that it would swarm and pick our empty hive for a new home. Miracles do happen.

"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must asuffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished

my preparations unto the children of men."

Doctrine & Covenants 19:16-19

“As part of His infinite atonement, Jesus...has borne the sins, griefs, sorrows, and, declared Jacob, the pains of every man, woman, and child (2 Nephi 9:21). Having been perfected in His empathy, Jesus thus knows how to succor us. … Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach or His encircling empathy. Therefore, we should not complain about our own life’s not being a rose garden, when we remember who wore the crown of thorns!” (Neil A. Maxwell Ensign, May 1987, 72).

The lose of my beehive was a small thing. Some might even say it was a silly thing to pray over. Not me--I know the Savior cares and wants to comfort me even in small trials. A knowledge of the His redeeming suffering helps me to be faithful in my trials and tribulations whether great or small.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 5:6-11

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

To more fully partake of the comfort and strength that Jesus offers through His Atonement, we can pray, humble ourselves, exercise faith in Jesus Christ and His ability to perform miracles in our lives, and receive the strength He offers during times of need. We now have three hives again. Of course I don't think we'll get any honey this year from the swarm hive, but at least we don't have to buy a package of bees to re-hive.