My little one and I were in the grocery store recently when we each saw something that caught our eyes.  I began explaining to her about the Venus Flytrap plant and how it was carnivorous.  The gruesome little thing became fascinated and asked if we could buy one.  Then I found this adorable flashlight that’s a lightning bug.  He just makes me happy.  “Look, his rump lights up!”  I said and she giggled and snickered.  Right now the word “rump” is cause for hilarity at our house.  I took this picture on our kitchen window sill and began thinking how it was a metaphor for life in a way.  When something is bothering me I tend to shed light on it:  sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly.  I don’t always act though.  I wish I could trap and destroy my worries and problems as swiftly as our new plant catches flies.  San Antonio, Texas Christian author Max Lucado said:

“Become a worry-slapper.  Treat frets like mosquitoes.  Do you procrastinate when a bloodsucking bug lights on your skin?  ‘I’ll take care of it in a moment.’  Of course you don’t!  You give the critter the slap it deserves.  Be equally decisive with anxiety.”

Of course everyone has problems and I believe they really do make one stronger by having to go through them.  But I try and realize they are relative.  Some people are hurting and struggling in ways I cannot imagine.  Maybe I need to turn my little lightning bug away from myself and shine the light more on others; to pray for what they might be going through.  Wherever you may be in the world right now and whatever you may be facing, remember you are not alone.  God is watching over you and will see you through.  Turn your eyes outward and try to do for others; perhaps your own problems will lessen in return.  I am going to try and slap the bad worries away, focus on the calm goodness all around me … and not be bugged.