Took a leisurely walk along the gravel road by my parents’ house this afternoon, soaking up sunshine while simultaneously adding a couple thousand steps on my pedometer. As always, I stopped for the smallest specks of color in a sea of green. Driving 300th Rd, one may or may not notice the varied vegetation. Walking one is more easily disposed to appreciating delecate intricacies of the tiniest wildflowers.
I have not yet learned the name of the plant variety that most captured my attention today. The thing that typically jumps out when I see them is their being absolutely loaded with bugs, every plant! It’s amazing that any survive the aphids’ annual onslaught, yet every summer the road becomes lined with those a good two feet superior to my height.
Today was different. Among millions of aphids devouring hundreds of these plants there prowled scores of ladybugs.
The first lady rested atop her leaf while hundreds of prospective dinner morsels sucked voraciously on the underside, oblivious to their impending doom. I watched her pop around leaf’s edge and snag one, quick as a frog’s tongue, before resuming her position at the edge of the leaf top. Other ladies stood beside their easy prey, seemingly unnoticed.
Lord, help me today to stay alert. I don’t want to live on leaf’s edge where hidden enemies can easily snag a bite, nor do I want to become so familiar with the adversary that I fail to flee when dangers arise.
To the Ends of the Earth 