Elderberry Lessons

Today in North Carolina, it was time to pick the elderberry for the first time this year. As long as we have been doing these, God continues to teach me lessons. Today he showed me a short cut in picking out which umbrellas of berries to cut. Look for the ones that are over 90% blackish purple, and the heads will be hanging down with the weight of the extra plump berries. I was surprised to find that most of the initial ripe ones seem to be in the interior of the bush. I will not forget the lesson given to me by my dog, Hercules. He showed me that wasps build in the bush by coming out and sitting in the bush between me and the wasp nest. I’m sure he got stings, but he just kept looking at me like he was talking to me with his eyes, and I learned my lesson to pay attention and don’t make him have to do that again.

When I am picking or weeding, Psalm 23 is often cited whether it is due to stinging insects, snakes, or whatever. Love how safe it makes me feel.