Hornet Story

 

Some years ago, I was enjoying worship in an old meeting house that didn’t have air conditioning.  It was a hot summer day and so the windows were all open.  I chose to sit in front of a window to feel the sun beat on my back.  It felt glorious.  I closed my eyes and slipped deep into worship.  At some point I became aware of an insect walking on my arm.  Eyes still closed, I pondered what it might be.  It wasn’t a fly or any insect that I could easily identify, so I peeked and saw a black hornet.  I watched him for a moment, closed my eyes and continued in worship.  The hornet flew away several minutes later.   So, you say, why are you now sharing this story?

 I’m sharing this story because I learned something that day.  I learned something about fear and how it feeds conflict.  I learned something about trust and faith.  And I learned that the way that I behave can influence the way other people behave.  That probably feels like a lot of weight to give a hornet walking on my arm so allow me to explain.

 In a different place, and a different setting, I might have reacted to finding a hornet on my arm from a place of fear.  I might have swung something at it thinking to harm it.  I might have attempted to swat it off.  Those actions, based in fear, might well have awakened fear in the hornet and caused it to bite me.  The other path, the one that I chose that morning, gave us both the grace to simply greet one another and continue on with our days.  I trusted that this small creature meant me no ill will.  He was simply walking up something that was in his path.  I had faith that if I were able to embrace his presence, he would do me no harm.

 I later learned that more than one person in the room was watching the hornet’s progress as he walked up my arm.  I also learned that they were each trying to decide what to do.  Among the options was to strike the hornet.  When they saw me open my eyes, observe the hornet, and return to worship, those Friends relaxed and they too returned to worship.

Since my encounter with that hornet, there have been many times when letting go of fear and opening to trust and faith have changed a potentially negative outcome to one where hope and grace abide.  I am grateful for the lesson Black Hornet brought me.