Preventive Measures

I'm sitting here looking at my lawn, or what used to be my lawn, next
to my patio. It is slowly trying to recover from an infestation of June
Bugs. They have literally destroyed a fairly large area of lawn, leaving
dead grass where they have eaten the roots, and small holes where
they have burrowed up through the soil. The hard green striped shell
has been left behind, probably rejected by birds who have feasted
upon these gruesome bugs. Not only have the June Bugs made holes
in my lawn, but the birds have pecked away at the grass and dirt
to find these tasty morsels.

They are not a pretty picture! And, because they seem to come out
at night and are attracted to light, I have several places on my screen
patio door with small holes. Think they may have popped the screen
as they have flown into it trying to reach the light shining through.

The interesting thing is that one day my grass was green, lush and
very healthy. And, the next day it looked brown and lifeless. I
couldn't believe how quickly things changed. I have since learned
that this did not take place overnight, that the eggs were probably
laid last fall or this spring, larvae developed and although I had
treated my lawn for grubs, the damage had already begun and
"they" proceeded to become this ugly beetle who would eventually
destroy everything in its path to survive.

Professional help was called in and treatments began to kill present
and future bugs and to help restore my lawn to a good healthy turf.

As I have observed this problem, I couldn't help but think about how
it relates to life and how careful we must be in our everyday living so
that "bugs" do not "infest' us. Families and lives don't just fall apart
overnight, testimonies aren't lost in a day, marriages and friendships
are not always destroyed in a moment.

Many times it is the small things, simple by some means, that we may
do or not do that begin to slowly eat away at us until before we know it
our lives have changed and we have lost those things that are precious
above all else.

We simply skip daily reading of our scriptures, find an excuse to stay
home from church, put off important things until "tomorrow", place
"things" and "wants" above families and loved ones, allow "gadgets" to
steal our time, debate prophetic counsel as to whether it really
pertains to us or not. Oh, there's ever so many more "bugs" that
we must be on the alert for.

How careful we must be with our preventive measures so as not to allow
those things of "little" value to destroy those things of "greater" value.
Slow, oh so slowly, Satan advances his cause. We must ever be on
guard, watching daily, being alert to all things surrounding us, our
families and loved ones that may destroy or harm those we love and
care about.

However, should be we become "infected" there is always help available
if we will but just seek it. Our Heavenly Father is only a prayer away,
Scriptures just need to be opened, Priesthood leaders are standing
nearby and loved ones are only a call away.

It is sad to look outside and see what was once beautiful green and
inviting grass gone. I know, though, that with the right help, it will be
restored. I think of my family, loved ones, and even myself, and know
that with the right help and keeping those preventive measures in
place, we can continue to grow and be all that our Heavenly Father
would have us be. We can truly blossom!