Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Squash Vine Borers

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

            If you have grown zucchini or another type of squash during the dog days of a Missouri summer, your plants have probably experienced the plight of the squash vine borer (SVB) moth. When a once thriving squash plant suddenly starts to wilt, you can almost be sure that the SVB is to blame. These pesky moths lay their eggs near the base of the plant and when they hatch, the larvae “bore” into the vine and lower stems, killing the plant outright. Because SVBs are so invasive when the weather is hot, some say the only way to prevent them during this time is to either grow your squash inside or not to plant any at all. That’s frustrating news for gardeners like me who love to grow and enjoy a personal summer squash harvest. The wilted squash plants I found in my garden last week are proof. They are also the reason that I have decided to wash my hands of squash gardening this summer and reap my harvest from the local grocery store (which I would venture to guess was grown safely indoors).

Amidst my vine borer woes, I came across a recent report from the Voice of the Martyrs* about Victoria Luka, a widowed Christian mother from Nigeria. In 2018, Islamists destroyed their village, burnt down their home, and killed Victoria’s husband. Islamic attacks against Christian communities in central and northern Nigeria are especially violent. Victoria now struggles to provide for her family of six by farming but has been unable to sell her produce because Islamists continually destroy her crops. She is also unable to farm elsewhere because she cannot buy seeds or fertilizer. Victoria’s prayer request is that God will provide for her and her children, and that her children will follow Christ themselves.

After reading about Victoria and her family, my current first-world problems seemed petty compared to theirs. I thought about how she had probably labored in the scorching African heat every day from morning until night, hoping to reap a harvest sufficient to keep her family alive. I thought about how difficult it must be for her to press on without the loving support of her husband. I wept as my heart broke for her, and I asked God to forgive me for my recent bout of complaining. He then reminded me of my dreaded vine boring enemies and used them to illustrate within my heart a much deeper truth about Kingdom living. Just as the squash plant attracts a specific enemy, so Christ-followers must face inevitable attacks from the enemy of their souls. It’s not a matter of if, but of when. Every Christian will reach a mid-battle moment of decision, when denying Christ would mean sure relief from the enemy and a simpler “row to hoe.” Some people (like me with my squash plants) decide to stop planting altogether and satisfy themselves from some other worldly source. On the other hand, there are the few “good and faithful servants” like Victoria who never sell out, even when the enemy keeps coming back with ever-increasing force. What would drive a mother in her situation to pray for her children to follow Christ, knowing what that would mean for them in their hostile part of the world? Why wouldn’t her prayer request be for the utter destruction of her earthly enemies and the flourishing of her crops? It is because, like Jesus, she has “meat” they know not of, which is to do the will of the Father (John 4:31-38). It is because she declares with David:

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:5-11).

            Lord, teach us, your people, never to give up when the path of life is hard. Be our portion, our heritage, our counsel and our hope. May we experience fulness of joy in your presence and the unwavering confidence that we will spend eternity with you at the end of this short time on earth. Amen.

* “Christian Widow’s Home Burned, Crops Destroyed,” The Voice of the Martyrs, July 31, 2025. https://www.icommittopray.com/