Shade Tree Wisdom 3/6/12

          The sight was sickening.  This family had just moved to their new home and spent many dollars to landscape their backyard, now it looked as if a bomb had been burst there, lawn dug up, bushes upended, the newly planted dwarf trees lying on end.  It was a total mess, so they called the police.  They came, looked, and said, “You had a visit from feral hogs that have been roaming this area lately.  There is nothing we can do.”

          Invasion. That is the topic today.  Our country has Many invasive species brought in by someone who thought they would be attractive, or useful, or just nice to have around.

          Think of the Everglades in Florida.  They estimate they are now home to 160,000 boa constrictors, bought as pets, and then released when they became too large to handle or lost their appeal.  Now they are decimating the small game life in the Everglades.

          And I remember the battle fought in the Great Lakes to stop lamprey eels.  I understand officials have them under control, but now are keeping watch for Asian Carp, not native, and harmful to native species.  In Texas there are Chinese Tallow.  The wood is useless, they give off a chemical that inhibits growth of other plants, they grow without competition.  And there are fire ants, nutria, hydrilla, salvinia, and the list goes on.  Fortunately, people are beginning to take note and do what they can to stop such invasive stuff.

          The matter of invasive matters rises in Lent, when we are looking quite closely at our religious life.  What has been invading?  How have we resisted?  St. Peter, remember, warns, “Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith”. 1 Peter 5,8.9.

          THAT invasion is on-going.  But, as St. Peter reminds us, to “Resist him steadfast in the faith”.  That is an on-going struggle also, but it can be a successful one, for does He not promise, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10,13.

          So, may your Lenten hours be well spent in study, in prayer, in contemplation, and so in God’s peace.

GPD 3/6/12