“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” 2 Peter 2:20 ESV

Praying Mantis 

A friend recently posted an up-close-and-personal picture of a praying mantis. It was very colorful but up close they are not nearly as cute as they are far away. However, the comments underneath the picture amused me. One of them said that their son had a science project and it entailed raising some praying mantises. After the project, he was allowed to keep them as pets. One of them, the mother said, was exceptionally friendly and seemed to enjoy being with them.

Reading this took me back in thought to the time I was watering some rose bushes and I noticed a praying mantis caught in a spider web. It seemed very distressed and panicked due to the fact that the spider was on its way toward it from another part of the web. I watched as it struggled to free itself. The more it struggled, the worse it became entangled.

I decided to help. As I was helping detangle this poor insect, it appeared to be looking right at my eyes, cocking its head as if to say I am grateful for what you are doing. A peculiar thought perhaps, but I never forgot that cute little “praying bug” cocking its head. I didn’t know that they could do that! That stuck with me, and whenever I saw a praying mantis after that “bug encounter”, I never thought “eww” again.

That seeming look of gratefulness as I worked to free it made me think about my own ineffective efforts to untangle some messes I made for myself. As I tried in my own inability to untangle myself from the bad situation, the deeper I got myself ensnared. Realizing I could not free myself, I finally sought the Lord’s help.

I thought about the parallel and asked myself, “Am I as grateful to the Lord as this helpless bug appeared to be as he looked at me while I worked to free him?” I gently spoke to the little bug as I worked to save him.

God, my only hope to be free, spoke to me in His gentle, loving voice to draw my eyes toward Him. Did I give him the glory that He deserved for saving me?

“Forgive me, Lord. Thank You for using a bug to remind me how important it is to You for me to have a grateful heart. Help me to thank You for Your loving-kindness, forgiveness, and for “untangling” me from my webs and saving me.”