Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Ants Go Marching...

A few days ago I spied an ant. It was on the door to the kitchen pantry that holds the wastebasket, of course. It was a teeny tiny ant and it was by itself. I thought "Uh-oh--are there more?" But I didn't see any. Still. An ant. Could that be a good sign?

Lest you think I've lost my mind, I was thinking maybe this was a sign of spring. I glanced out the window...snow was still there. Glanced at the thermometer...cold was still there. Didn't look a thing like spring. But if the ants are out, could it mean they know something I don't know? Could it mean they know spring is going to be early this year?

Tonight, we ate fast food, and a french fry dropped on the floor, unseen by any of us. But the ants saw it and when we went back in the kitchen, the french fry had become an ant buffet. They were all over that poor potato.

I have to admit I was a little grossed out, but my first reaction was excitement: it must mean something that a horde of ants showed up! It MUST mean spring was sprung down under--deep in the ground where the little beasties live, perhaps?

Well, hubby decided it was time to act so he hurried to the store and came home with ant traps. Those poor dumb ants. They feasted on that trap like hogs at the trough, then staggered, sated, back to their nests dragging the poison with them.

Ah well...though the ants are living on borrowed time (24 hours, in fact, according to the package insert), they could still symbolize my soon release from winter.

Right? Just agree with me, please. I need to hang on to my spring dream.


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Doomed?

I have acquaintances who are constantly concerned and worried over the Church. Some seemingly spout nothing but gloom. The church is doomed...it is steeped in disobedience...some say we are not spiritual enough...not dedicated enough...not praying enough...not living holy enough...not sorrowful enough...not sorry enough...not DOING enough...not being good Christians enough.

And you know what? They're right!

And isn't that why we are covered with grace?

Lord, I beg You to keep my eyes fixed on You and how much You fulfill me...how much You teach me...how much You give me the ability to do Your work. Help me not to bow under the weight of well-intentioned peer pressures. Help me not to lose sight that I am nothing, and can do nothing without You to begin the work in me. Help me to recognize every breath I take is the breath You give me. Help me to remember my soul is only TRULY alive through You. I ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who has washed away every stain of sin I carried with His blood.