Caterpillars

  I watched in amazement at the excitement my children displayed as they showed me the caterpillars they had collected at the Wycliffe base.  When I had first suggested that they consider taking a jar to collect caterpillars, they didn't think it sounded like a good idea.  But upon arrival at the Wycliffe base and learning how intriguing caterpillars could be, even my very girly girl was into collecting them. 

   We brought them home in a glass mason canning jar with a lid that had nail holes punched in it.  The children then went to work dividing them amongst themselves.  This is when my youngest got into the act.  In her excitement, she stepped on one of the poor creatures.  Oh the tears that flowed down the face of my little boy.  His little heart was just broken that one of the caterpillars had come to such an untimely end.    As his tears calmed, this sisters and him divided the remaining caterpillars.  The jars were lovingly stuffed with leaves and branches.  We spent the rest of the evening receiving updates on whose caterpillar seemed to be enjoying the leaves the most, whose caterpillar wasn't looking so well, whose caterpillar was crawling on the lid, etc.  The excitement filled the house.

   As I watched my children intrigued with the caterpillars, take ownership in the project, and delight in the creation of our Heavenly Father, my heart was touched.  In the craziness of being a mom, wife, home school teacher, correspondent with supporters, living in a country that is no mine own, etc, I had become tired.  In my weariness, I had forgotten to take pleasure in the little things.  I had forgotten to take time to see the world through the eyes of child.  I was no longer looking for the beauty and adventure of what life was bringing my way, but resigned to just putting one foot in front of the other. 

   As I thought about experience more, I came to the realization that this adventure with the caterpillars went so much better since the children had a jar ready to start the process when they got to the Wycliffe base.  Even so my Heavenly Father has equipped me for the adventure that He has me.  He has given me the “jar” that is needed.  But how do I respond to the adventure He has given me?  Am I too tired, to enjoy the little pleasures?  Am I too weary, to see His Hand guiding my path? Am I too discouraged, to hear His voice through my day?  Is my focus on the “normal” things, so I forget to listen for His voice and see Him in the unexpected?  Or am I embracing this adventure with the eyes of child?  Am I delighting in the new discovery, allowing myself to grieve over the heartbreaks, but be resilient to once again find a way to enjoy the excitement of life?  Do I trust my Heavenly Father enough to know that He has given me the “jar” that is need?

   So for tomorrow, I will try to take the time to see the world as an exciting place.  I will try to take time to pause, reflect, and enjoy the adventure of my life here.  I will try to effectively use the “jar” that I find in my hand.