A bondslave's schedule, Part 2

It has been a tough week, not only physically, but emotionally as well. If you don't live in Oregon, this may not be an issue for you . . . however, I'm sure your part of the country (or world) has a similar problem --

My "problem" is ANTS! In particular, the odorous house ant, which, I believe, is much too polite a term for this hardy, persistent, pest. Did you know that these creatures can live for YEARS??!! We have had professional extermination; any and all ant traps/sprays/dusts; too many home remedies to possibly count; and yes, I do clean my countertops, and, no, I don't leave food out for them to eat! Tod and I found today that there is at least one colony living in one of our interior walls (the joys of owning an older home). Time to go to the farm store for some more boric acid and start dusting again . . .

I mentioned to Tod this morning, as I was killing ants and vinegar-spraying counters before I could even make my morning coffee (maybe that's a reason for the frustration), "do you think I have to learn to thank God for ants before they will go away?" Tod (who hasn't yet had his morning coffee either), "Bev, I think they are just ants." However, the thought has stuck with me today. . .

Why do ants irritate me so? There is an actual rage that rises instantly in me; I must admit there is a perverse pleasure in killing them. I don't have that reaction with the occasional spider, or moth, or fly, or even the wasps who insist on using the roof of the deck as a high-rise apartment. I did have a similar attitude toward the roaches in Georgia, and the fire ants in Arizona. . . but back to my question.

Ants are mentioned in Scripture only two times:

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV)

Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer. . . (Proverbs 30:24-25 ESV)

I am supposed to gain wisdom by watching ANTS???!!!

Do they irritate me so because I'm not "doing" as I used to be, and so I fight with the thought that I may be a "sluggard?" Thankfully, and this has been long coming, I have settled this with God; He schedules my day, and some of those days are spent not "doing" much at all, but that makes me no less His bondslave.

Ants prepare and plan ahead. They are self-starters; they don't need always to be told what to do. They don't need someone managing them, and dictating their every move. They see what needs to be done, and they do it. I really don't think ants argue over who is going to pick up that particular crumb, or which bit of grease is whose "job." Good reminder when I'm cleaning the kitchen or picking up the living room and encounter items that "I" didn't put there . . .

So, am I still irritated by ants? Not so much (but I will still buy boric acid at the next opportunity). I am thankful that God reminded me (through these tiny, persistent creatures) that He gives me each day of my life. It truly is my God-given responsibility to use each day as He wants it used. It's a good question to ask each morning -- Dear Father, how do you want me to spend Your day?