Most of life takes place at home these days. No eating out. No big social events. No concerts or movies. No open churches. But life still goes on. Maybe much of the activity which really drives us takes place in a more hidden way.
“For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts.”
~George Eliot, Middlemarch
Bees are a perfect example of of a hidden life, full hidden teeny, countless actions.
Day in and day out, they each perform their own task, and every once in a while, something marvelous is seen. A whole hive of tiny insects lasts through winter. One day a queen may be born, leading to incredible swarm, where bees mass as one giant dark ‘drip’ of shape upon one object, or their shining treasure is harvested: glorious, gleaming streams of gooey, golden honey.
But for the most part, we forget about the bees.
We forget that they pollinate much of what we take for granted: flowers, trees, crops, making much of what we eat on a daily basis possible.
” That things are not so ill with you and me… is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
~George Eliot, Middlemarch
No one notices the bees pollinating all the plants around us (with the help of other insects, birds and bats).
It is the same with humans.
For so work the honey-bees,
Creatures that by a rule in nature teach
The act of order to a peopled kingdom
~Shakespeare, Henry V, Act 1, Scene 2
Do you ever wonder what it would be like if our news media upheld what a solid, balanced, and truly successful life is built on?
I do.
If human life is anything like the bees,’ the news feeds would explode with hidden acts of heroism and inspiration.
In these hidden things, humans are like the bees. Whether it’s the person next to you in Walmart, at the airport, or in one’s own home, almost never does one see the striving that many a person is doing, in the hive of their heart, mind, and soul.
It is a constant inward battle, this order they’re constantly trying to bring about in the midst of the chaos of their life.
No marshaling troops, no bivouac song
No banner to gleam and wave..
I tell you the kingliest victories fought.
Are fought in these silent ways.
~Joaquin Miller, “The Greatest Battle That Wad Ever Fought”
No one sees their constant efforts to be patient with their roommates or family members; no one sees their constant efforts to persevere and improve.
Even more hidden, burried in the most private depths of their hearts and souls, no one sees when a human is interacting with his Lord and Creator.
In these quiet, unseen moments more is being done to impact the world than any physical, tangible action. For in those “private chambers”, the Infinite Almighty penetrates into the world, diffusing his goodness one soul at a time.
The world is a fortress of ice which does not want to love and God lays siege to it.
He looks for the breaches, and these are the adorers.”
~Pere Marie-Dominique Molinie, OP
And so, though much of the world is closed to us, our fast-paced lives altered, unsure of when those old scenes will return again, there is a hidden treasure waiting.
In these moments at home, within the ‘hive of our hearts,’ “unhistoric acts” may take place. A few quiet acts of adoration within the depths of our hearts might open the path for the fingers of God penetrate time.
In these moments of desperation, whether it be worry about jobs, patience with the kids, or frustration with the path in which our governments seem to be heading, or just depressed that going out for a beer is not going to happen for a while, fidelity to the inward trials may change our world.
Like the bees in the hive doing their “unhistoric” unseen work, pollinating countless blossoms, day after day, so each of our actions over time, well done, might reap a golden gleaming treasure.
This is a treasure more long lasting than honey (which lasts over thousands of years!) and can be reclaimed in our final Home, heaven, a world free from all evil and disorder.
“For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts. That things are not so ill with you and me… is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
~George Eliot, Middlemarch
Thanks so much for reading! I hope this encourages you in your hidden battles. Be assured of my prayers for your perseverance and tenacity, just like those little bees!
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Bridget Bryan 