The spring honey flow is well underway and my hives are active. Right now the apple blossoms are a favorite of my bees. While taking a photo the other day, one of them stung me on the nose. Ouch! I should know better than to intrude too closely during their foraging. If I’ve learned anything in my life as a beekeeper, it’s that the bees are quite territorial. They’re ruthless protectors of their honey!
Often people ask me why I choose to manage bees. The obvious answer is my love of honey. It’s health benefits are well proven from cough suppression to wound healing. Plus it’s a tasty substitute for refined sugar. Using honey as a natural sweetener enhances the flavor of my old recipes. Consequently, it’s now a staple in my kitchen.
Even so, honey isn’t the only reason I’m a beekeeper. It’s much more complicated than that simple response. Long ago my love of science led me to medicine. So, it isn’t surprising that bee biology fascinates me. The manner in which the worker bees instinctively function together for the survival of the hive is amazing. They each have a specific role to play and will sacrifice themselves for the wellbeing of the colony.
However, of all the bees, the queen remains the most elusive and mysterious to me. After mating, she never leaves the hive but is solely responsible for laying all the eggs to produce new bees. Often she’s difficult to find within the masses of bees surrounding her for protection. In the past, it worried me when I couldn’t find her. But now I realize that it’s not necessary. As long as I find eggs, larvae and developing bees, I know she’s alive and well.
Yes, the promise of honey and the study of bee behavior drew me into beekeeping but, it’s the stewardship of God’s creation that keeps me motivated to continue. Bees are an integral part of our ecosystem. They are responsible for the pollination of a large portion of the earth’s food supply. In my own small way, when caring for my bees, I’m fighting against world hunger. For me, this makes it all worthwhile-even if I must endure a few beestings along the way. Such is my life as a beekeeper.
I wrote about my quest for the queen in a recent devotion for the Upper Room. It thrills me that they chose to publish it in print and online in their May/June 2020 issue. Today, Quest for the Queen is their featured daily devotion. Click on the link to view it on the Upper Room website and feel free to join in the comments.
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you; If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 24:13-14
