Hanging By A Thread

It is still hanging there.
It is still high up in the tree.
I discovered it when we were eating dinner on our deck one summer night.
It was an extremely large hive.

I thought it was a honey bee hive and called our neighbor who is in the honey business.
He told us that is was a black jacket hive.
The black jackets covered the hive, high up in the tree.
I could not imagine how we would ever get it down.

An exterminator came.
He put on protective clothing and began to toss sticks at the hive.
The black jackets were angry; they did not swarm but they flew frantically around the hive.
The exterminator explained that throwing sticks would make necessary holes.

After the holes were made, he could spray the hive and kill the black jackets.
Everything went according to plan.
The hive will eventually fall off the tree, he told us.
One day it will be on your grass, just you wait and see, he said.

That was three months ago.
The black jacket hive is still hanging in the tree.
There are holes from when the exterminator threw sticks at it.
Thankfully, there are no black jackets.

Each day, I see the hive from my kitchen window.
Each day, it seems as if the bottom of the hive has disintegrated a bit.
The hive is still huge.
It is hanging by a thread.

We had horrible wind on Halloween night.
I thought for sure the hive would be on the ground the next morning.
The hive was still hanging there.
It swings on the one thread that attaches it to the tree.

I see it sway this way and that when the wind blows.
I see it hanging precariously from the tree branch.
Nothing seems to be able to move this hive.
I am certain the large hive will be snow covered before long, yet it will still hang on.

How often are we like that black jacket hive?
How often do the winds of the world whip around us?
It seems like we are hanging by a thread when things are pressing in on us.
It seems like our one little thread is just about to give way.

I heard a mother on the aisle next to me.
She was frazzled by the behavior of the child who was with her.
I am on my last nerve! I heard her say to her child.
Anyone around young children can relate to her total exasperation.

I thought of that mother’s remark.
I am on my last nerve.
The black jacket hive is on its last nerve.
I have no idea how the hive is still hanging by one little thread.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?
Do you ever feel as if you are, on your last nerve?
Do you ever feel like problems are whipping around you?
Do you ever feel as if you are barely hanging on?

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Look up!
You may be on your last nerve.
The winds of this world may feel as if they are coming at you with gale force strength.
You may be hanging by one thread.

You may be holding on by your little pinkie finger.
Look up to see Who is holding the other end of the thread.
Who do you see?
If you are in Christ, it is our Lord Jesus who is holding you fast.

It doesn’t matter how well you are holding on.
It matters Who has a hold of you.
It really matters.
The winds of the world may whip around you, troubles may be everywhere, but you are held.

You are always held.
He will hold you fast.