Invasion of the Grasshoppers

As I was out watering my flowers the other day I spotted a familiar foe. It was a grasshopper. Grasshopper populations are known to be at their highest in hot, dry conditions. Grasshoppers feed on numerous crops from small grains to vegetables. As grasshoppers increase in number they are less selective in choosing a food source. Grasshoppers are very difficult to control chemically when they are in the adult stages because they are very mobile. If chemical control is necessary there are baits and pesticides labeled specifically for grasshopper control. The best time to apply chemicals is in the spring or early summer when they are in the developing stages or when egg laying occurs. Keep in mind that most insecticides are non- selective. If they kill insect pests they will most likely also kill beneficial insects and possibly birds.

To use a natural or organic approach: Till the ground in late fall or early spring to kill any eggs that overwintered in the soil.

Encourage natural predators like birds to the garden by providing water, shelter and nesting material for them.

Attract frogs and toads to your garden by providing shelter. Turn a ceramic flower pot placed upside down and prop up on a rock. Keep a source of water nearby because frogs need water to survive.

Praying Mantis are true carnivores and are harmless to plants. I was fortunate to have one show up in my garden the day after finding the grasshopper. The accompanying photos show the fate of the unwelcome grasshopper.

“And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten… And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame.”   Joel 2:25-26

Each one of us go through seasons in our lives.  In the Autumn season we gather in the harvest from the seed we have sown into good ground. Sometimes it is like the Winter time and we can rest, plan and prepare for what lies ahead.  Other times it is like Springtime and everything is new, fresh and growing. I also know what it is like to be in the “heat” of Summer in my life. Decisions that were apart from God’s Will lead to destruction.The enemy loves to get us into the place of hopelessness. He laughs when we find ourselves in a spiritual drought with no rain cloud in sight. I know what it is like to have absolutely no one to talk to. It was at that time that I heard a very famous TV preacher say, “Go to the Throne and not the phone.” Although it was not what I wanted to hear, it was exactly what I needed to hear. For over two years I absorbed myself in the book of Psalms. I read it through over and over again. It soothed my broken soul. Just as importantly it opened my eyes to the things I needed to change. It softened my hardened heart.

There was also a time in my life when I knew I was in God’s Will but the enemy was attacking from all sides. I can not count the times my husband and I wondered how in the world we were going to pay our bills and buy groceries. I have seen a negative balance in a checking account. We have heard a doctor tell us, “there’s no recovery from this.”
But, God was always faithful. He used channels of provision that never would have crossed our minds. He did it not because of us, but, because of His Word. He keeps every promise to His children; and He never plays favorites.

Just like there is a way to fight off grasshoppers in our garden, there is a way to achieve victory in our our lives. If we know we are not in God’s will we must repent, and then make some changes in our habits, attitude, the words that we speak,or possibly who we associate with. If we know we are God’s will and the battle we are facing is strictly an attack from the enemy our strategy is simply the spoken Word of God. Make time everyday to study God’s Word and seek His wisdom, strength and guidance.

Wherever you find yourself today, my friends, remember this: God loves you. He knows your name. His plan for your life is a good plan. It is far beyond anything you can imagine. Don’t listen to the lie that you have screwed everything up. God can make a plan B and the “B” stands for “better” and it stands for “Brand New”! For those of you in the season of harvest, use that abundance of grace, mercy, or blessing to help your brothers and sisters in Christ. We were not created to be self centered, solitary people. When we read the latest headlines let us remember, “But for the Grace of God go I.” We are here to share Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. Let’s keep our hearts and minds focused on our wonderful, loving Savior and embrace each season of our lives knowing that He is always by our side.

“Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11