Pests in the Attic

Like many homes in the region during the cold winter months, my home is currently plagued by two pests.  The first appears rather cute at first sight.  The small red flying ladybug is harmless and bothers very little.  Untreated, the bugs multiply and are constantly drawn to the light.  While they do not bite, they are a nuisance as they drop from the ceiling and fly directly toward the light bulbs, thrashing their hard outer shells against the protective globe in the center of the room.

Squirrels can be a bit more destructive.  Seeking warmth, wood, and food storage locations, these rodents are quick to set up camp in unprotected attics.  While there, they rob traps of food while damaging heating units and annoying the human residents in the house below.  (This is the voice of experience speaking.  While typing this entry, I am listening to the grating teeth of a squirrel gnawing away at the exposed wood in the attic.)

While both pests are currently in our home, the ladybug is the least offensive.  She (and her many relatives) were not invited inside and the exterminator reports that there is little that could have been done to prevent the infestation;  many homes in our small town are doing battle with the insects this year.  The squirrel, on the other hand, took up residence here because of a lack of preventative measures.  A small hole next to the air conditioning unit's entry hose has been present for some time.  While aware of it, my family did not take the necessary steps to plug the hole - always promising to take care of it "tomorrow."  "Tomorrow" never came and now we have a little visitor trapped in the attic.  (Since the squirrel arrived in the attic, Dad took the initiative to plug the hole.  There's another story hidden there somewhere, but that one is for another time!)

Sounds a bit like our lives, doesn't it?  Each of us face pests of one sort or another.  These troubles may have just appeared without warning or invitation;  others arrived through unprotected openings of which we were aware but failed to take the necessary steps to repair.  Our attempts to rid ourselves of these pests often become quite elaborate; despite all our wisdom, our best efforts still result in failure. 

Once our life's pests are identified and the source of entry is found, we attempt to stop future troubles from entering in the same way.  Sadly, like the trapped squirrel in my attic, our efforts address future circumstances only without dealing with the internal problem that continues to reek unseen destruction.  Soon the squirrel in the attic will run out of food and begin to resort to other methods of nourishment.  Ultimately, the rodent will die and his decaying body will emit an offensive odor that will be unmistakable and unhideable.  The tragedy is that this stink is entirely preventable -- if I am willing to take the necessary steps to crawl deep into the dark corners of the attic and deal with the problem.  The endeavor may be frightening and painful, but it is necessary. 

Do you see the parallel for us?  As we launch into a new year, many of us have examined our lives and recognized areas where pests -- the very enemies of our soul -- have gained admission into our world and have taken steps to close up that entry port.  This is a noble endeavor that can often be exhausting, but so worth the effort.  However, it is equally important -- if not more important -- that we look within and face the darkness we find and deal with the remains of the pests that have plagued our past.  Unless we root them out and allow our Exterminator and Savior, Jesus Christ, to deal with them thoroughly, the decay and destruction will continue and ultimately spread until our entire being is consumed by it. 

As you identify your personal pests, put in an emergency call to the perfect Exterminator, seeking His advice, wisdom and direction in order to clear your heart of the trouble.  In the end, you'll be much happier for it.

Wishing you a blessed Monday,
Kennith