A few weeks ago I was invited to go for an impromptu walk in the woods. The company was good. The conversation was light. I found humor in watching the tree tops sway in the breeze while the dense foliage prevented my enjoyment of such refreshment. The path was well marked, though not well traveled. Spiders often shared their creativity with me as well as their ability to blend as I would sometimes admire their webs and other times run head long in to them. The 7 mile stroll went largely without incident. The bear scat was fresh but not steaming ... the snake was colorful but not poisonous.
However amazing and peaceful this particular stroll through the woods was for me, the real adventure began when I returned home. Entirely unknown to me was the stowaway -- several in fact. They are called trombiculidae by those with initials before or after their names. I call them chiggers.
Typically I am better prepared as I walk through the woods. This trip, as I have mentioned, was impromptu and I failed to apply any insect repellent to my shoes, socks, and legs. My oversight was not soon forgotten as the itching began from the waist down and would not subside for several days. I have discovered that chiggers are opportunists. They don't bury themselves under the skin as I have always been told. Truth be told, fingernail polish, (however colorful) has no greater negative effect upon these creatures than a spider web in the way of a charging bear. I have no idea why God made chiggers. But I do know the lesson the Rabbi has taught me through the recent experience.
Chiggers have learned to put themselves in just the right position and then wait -- wait for some unsuspecting person or animal to walk through the grass and then -- at just the right moment, they let go of the grass and grab hold of "dinner". Amazing. Consider the tenacity of the chigger. Consider the extensive planning (or instinct) these creatures possess.
And yet, here's the question that has me (forgive the pun) bugged. Why aren't we at least as tenacious and intentional as the chigger? Moreover, why don't we plan to be near whatever it is that we want/need? And when by chance we end up in the right spot at the right time, why are we so unwilling to let go of what we have to embrace the gift that has come?
The TV show asks, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" Jesus seems to be asking something even more profound. "Are we as smart as chiggers?"
You ponder that.
