Batter Up?
For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. Job 12:10 (NLT)
When I moved up from Florida and began working with children in Limerick, I will never forget the pure joy mixed with total fascination with the cicadas that made their debut with rattling noises. Note, I am not a bug lover, but I found these armor-covered insects to be interesting. We used to have the children empty their pockets before coming in from recess. There were mounds of shells left at the door. Julie Lavender (All God’s Creatures) writes an amusing life-lesson story about this insect. Enjoy!
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David and I looked forward to our grandson’s baseball tournament. Though we couldn’t wait to watch our five-year-old’s batting abilities, I’d admit that part of the attraction was that we’d get to see swarms of periodical cicadas making their debut after spending the last 13 years underground. It was the highlight of every recent FaceTime conversation with our grandson. “Maybe Benaiah will grow up to be an entomologist, just like you,” I told my husband.
On tournament day, after driving six hours the night before, we set up chairs and a tent. Cicadas buzzed and flew, especially in the thick forest of trees behind the park. Some made their way to the baseball fields, landing on fences, picnic tables, soccer chairs, and spectators’ pant legs. Big orange eyes contrasted with iridescent green bodies.
The synchronicity of their loud calls—males attempting to attract a mate—came in waves. The sound seemed deafening at first, but we tuned it out once the ballgame began.
Benaiah’s teammate Olivia, however, couldn’t take her eyes—or hands—off the insect visitors. Each time she came up to bat, the coach yelled over the din of the tournament, “Put the cicada down!” She was my kinda gal—one who enjoyed playing in the dirt more than stealing second and playing in the grass rather than fielding balls.
She eventually complied and set down her treasure. Regretting her decision, Olivia hopped after the freed cicada, bat trailing behind. Finally, the umpire intervened and guided the cicada away from the field. Olivia had no idea whether her team won the game because baseball just didn’t seem that important to her. More interested in the beauty of God’s creations, she didn’t want to miss a minute of the bug-eyed critters that wouldn’t emerge again for another thirteen years.
I’m glad I enjoy God’s creation as much as Olivia does. We’re two of a kind!
Gracious Lord, thank You for all of creation and that includes the creepy crawly bugs. All living things have purpose. Teach us to be more accepting. AMEN.