Raccoons and Construction Workers

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There is always something or someone over my head.

There are constant noises over my head. By day, it’s the construction workers ripping apart and (hopefully) putting my roof back together again. By night, it’s the raccoons scurrying (actually more like lumbering; they are not light of foot) across the flat rooftop growling and scratching and reappearing outside my glass bedroom door. It’s a stand-off as we stare at each other – but I’m not only the one who blinks first. I scream.

The roofers, on the other hand, pose no such terror (despite my friend’s unforgettable remodeling story that involved a worker falling through the bathroom ceiling during her husband’s morning shave!). They are just very noisy – pounding and banging, drilling, sawing and hammering. With the radio blaring in the background…

It’s wreaking havoc on my ear drums but that’s not the worst of it. I feel like my property has been invaded. I feel a little insecure and vulnerable. There is always something or someone on top of me.

Yes, you got it. That’s my light bulb moment. Because of course there always is! The workers will (eventually) leave. If that spray we have is any good (You won’t believe how often I send my husband outside to spray just one more time!) the raccoons will also depart.

But the Almighty, the Creator of the world is always here. He’s watching my actions. He’s listening to my words. No wonder I feel vulnerable – and insecure. My actions don’t always reflect the goals I set for myself. Words and ideas I’m not proud of slip through my guarded lips. He’s watching. He’s listening. He’s over my head! I may not wear a kippa (Is that why I need a broken roof and raccoons?) but I know He’s there.

And yet, unlike my nocturnal visitors who greatly increase my anxiety, who contribute in no small way to my sense of vulnerability and insecurity, that should not be my relationship with the Almighty.

Although His Omnipresence should affect my deeds and shape my speech, fear is not the appropriate reaction. Instead of feeling insecure, I should feel safe, cherished, and loved. The Almighty wants me to succeed. He has my best interests at heart. He is my loudest cheerleader.

Remembering that He is over my head is a tool for behavioral change but it’s also an opportunity to focus on being take care of, watched over, protected.

I’ve chosen to use my experience with the raccoons as an opportunity to learn an important spiritual lesson (please God, since I’m trying so hard to learn please don’t send them back!) and I’m attempting to do the same with the daytime construction noise.

Everything in this world is an opportunity for growth, a chance to reconnect with and deepen our relationship with the Almighty. Even construction workers and raccoons…

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Gertrude
Gertrude
4 months ago

This is no disrespect against the way you live your life and your relationship with god, I’m just curious if you would question any parts of your singular self separate from god that may hinder your quality of life. Here is a reminder: live life the way it feels right. I hope that time for you was not too hard I understand how invasive it must have felt like, but what I think is that if your going to share a revelation through a story like that, please make it something of more substance. You already know that god is always watching, you just forgot and wanted to share what made you remember. I want to hear something about perspective change or something new you learn about yourself. Anyways, here is my unsolicited opinion, have a blessed day.

Gertrude
Gertrude
4 months ago

does it lead you to any other conclusion remembering that god is always watching? I feel like there is more to learn from that discomfort you had living with the constant feeling of your space being trespassed by the raccoons and the construction; things such as how you may have issues from you past having to do with your boundaries being passed/disrespected, or perhaps it could be turned into a spiritual practice where you practice being comfortable in the uncomfortable. I dont know, it just seems like you're recalling this annoying period of your life to use it for sharing the fact that it reminded you that god is always watching. I think this context of the raccoon and construction could've been used to share a lesson of something much more valuable than a simple religious reminder.

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