Little Foxes

https://odb.org/MY/2022/03/18/little-foxes

In the Songs of Solomon 2:15, it was mentioned to catch for us the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. These little foxes are quick and cunning and come in the night under the cover of darkness to devour the grapes and in the process, ruin the harvest and even the vineyards. They are not a major pestilence like locusts that arrive in millions eating up and destroying entire crops of plantations but just minor hindrances to a complete harvest at the vineyards. It’s that 0.5% discrepancy tolerance for wastage, pilferage or just plain bad grapes among the good. It’s just that the little foxes will likely go for the choice ones and thus it’s a loss to the farm. It will be better for the business if the little foxes are eliminated but it may require more work.

Are there little foxes in our relationships that are a source of annoyance and hindrance? Do we irritate people with our idiosyncrasies, our way of doing things? It is certainly not something fundamental like a betrayal or something hidden and evil like a backstabbing vile poison vial. It is nevertheless an irritant and sometimes these things will mean whether we progress further or remain where we are in our relationships, work or ministry.

For example, when I quarrel with my dear wife, it usually has to do with every day mundane stuff like why didn’t I finish up the peanut butter but leave some behind? Or in washing up the dishes, why was I so lazy to leave them to dry at the strainer but not use a cloth to dry them up and put them back onto the open rack? Or my frequent mistake – why did I leave the detergent container open after using the detergent for the washing machine? Some of my mistakes had more serious consequences like not tightening the lid of a container properly after use and thus the next person may spill the contents when he or she lifts up the container. There are others like forgetting where we left our keys, forgetting to lock the doors etc.

At the relationship level, we could have said something in jest but inappropriately. Made a comment without thinking through and ended up saying what we think, which will usually not end well if it was not properly filtered through in the first place. These gaffes or slips of tongues could be done in private and sometimes publicly like through the pulpit. Best way to resolve all these mistakes is to apologise quickly and not to do it again. We are all WIP and not perfect but should minimise minor irritants in relationships as sometimes a good relationship will not become great because of these little foxes that ruin the vineyards.

Catch for us those little foxes that ruin the vineyards – perhaps have a look at our lives over this weekend, reflect and see where we could be an irritant, an annoyance or hindrance to fruitful, harmonious and successful relationships? Can we do better? Could we improve ourselves and catch our own little foxes? Have a good weekend ahead and do take time to bask in the glory of His presence as we spend time with God in our quiet time!