Chaos engulfed my backyard sanctuary this past week. Initially, a family of raccoons took up residence under our deck. I worked a couple of summers ago to completely cut off all access below the deck using wire mesh, leaving one small opening for a water hose with a cover in place. Those diabolical raccoons flipped the cover and moved on in.

After a couple nights of hazing the raccoons, in a bleary-eyed state I poured my coffee and gazed out the window at a mama skunk and her two adolescents clawing around in our flowers. Alarmed and caffeinated, I launched the defense of my gardens.

Along with the hygiene issues and the smell, skunks wreak havoc by digging for grubs and worms, thus uprooting sensitive plants. Raccoons will eat most anything, including the best a garden produces. In just a few days, these critters can undo months and months of work.

Which is what came to mind this morning when I read this bit of wisdom from Solomon: One sinner destroys much good.

Satisfying, beneficial ways of living can be undone by one person out for destruction. Gun violence steals innocent lives, and drunk drivers do the same. Vandals close parks and ruin access for all. When I look around, plenty of evidence supports Solomon’s insight.

As much as possible, you and I and our society must watch for the “one sinner” and slow them where we can. Perhaps we can avoid at least some of the ruin such a person brings.

As for the varmints in my yard? By aiming bright lights under the deck I edged the raccoons out, then I screwed down the hose cover—foiling them for now.

The battle still rages with the skunks. I filled holes under the fence and scattered mothballs. I’m hoping the fox that roams our neighborhood comes to my aid—I’ll embrace any ally in this epic struggle of man versus beast.

Ecclesiastes 9 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Bryan Padron