Friday, February 4, 2011

A Lesson from Ant

essContinuing the lesson from Wednesday's post, I'm allowing God to heal me through Nature.

An army of ants worked all throughout the day, traveling back and forth to get pieces of food to take back to their colony. They're so tiny, yet the wisdom they possess amazes me. They work together, united strong, so that in the end- none of them should want for nothing.

I smiled watching two of them communicate with each other, as they carried their food. The piece of meal that seemed like a speck to me was apparently too heavy for one of them to carry, so she asked for help. I could just imagine their chat, "Hey, you think you could help me carry this, it's too much for me to bear."  "Sure thing, no problem." Amazingly, I watched as the other one helped her carry the tiny piece of bread, at least, I thought it looked like bread.

Just like Spider (Wednesday's post), I've also learned from Ant. She wasn't too proud to ask for help when she was carrying a load twice her size. She struggled at first on her own, but then realized she couldn't do it on her own. Ant could've said it one of two ways; calmly "I need help with this load, could you do me the favor and lend a hand?" or wailing, "Please, help me! I really can't carry this one on my own. I need help!" 

But what if she hadn't asked for help, what would've happened? I'm no expert on ants. Maybe, another would've helped voluntarily but on the other hand, would she have been stuck there on her own? 

I admire Ant. She and her friends are no more different than us. We, too, carry a heavy load on a daily basis. The question is, are we too proud to ask for help when we need it? Do we wait there with a bleeding heart until someone volunteers to help along the way?

Take a moment to reflect upon all that you carry and ask yourself if you need help. Then ask your family or a good friend. Sometimes they might surprise you.  I'll admit that when I lost my other half, the last thing I wanted was someone to help. All I wanted was him. I wanted to bury myself in his clothes, his things, his love. But that wouldn't have been healthy for me, so like Ant I finally screamed, "I need help! I really can't do this on my own."

And I got the help from my family as well, as from you. I just wanted to say, thanks again for being there and for being the ear to a voice that's trying to come back to me.

If I haven't said it lately, I really do love having you all as my friends.

Apparently, God thinks Ant is important too.
"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." Proverbs 6: 6-8
{a little harsh, but a powerful message}


© 2010 Ellie Kings
Italics from my Journal

Art in Google images

15 comments:

Tabitha Bird said...

Now I love Ant AND Spider :) This is the makings of a children's book surely!

God had lots to say about ants, hey. He thought we should be more like them. Now THAT is saying something.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I swear God was talking to me through my dream last night. I was dreaming of a scene from the last Lord of the Rings when Samwise says, "Share the load."

And now I read this...

So good to see you again!
~ Wendy

Susan R. Mills said...

I agree with Tabitha... this has the makings of a children's book.

Holly_D said...

Just like your spider story, I enjoyed the ant story as well. Yes, though it is very hard to ask for help...we need to see that we are in this together. We need one another.

Tana said...

Love that verse in the bible regarding the ant! The Lord knows how we can learn from all his creatures. I hope those around you carry you when you need it. *hugs*

steveroni said...

EGG-ON-FACE writes:

I guess by now you realize I was confused with commenting, wrote my 'ant' comment on 'spider' post. Noy finally I see that 'comments' are to be written before I read the blog posting. LOL. I apologize, REALLY.
PEACE (to me this time!)

Stephanie said...

Hi Ellie,
Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog and the congratulatory note. That was so thoughtful--espeically in the face of what you are going through.

I'd be thrilled to answer your concerns in my advice column. If you feel up to it, shoot me an email at Stephanie@StephanieBaffone.com with some more detail about what's happening so I can best advise. Trust me, so many others are struggling with the same things you are probably. Your question and some specifics will help others too. So write me when you can, but only if you feel up to it.
Hugs...always.

Betty Manousos said...

I really enjoyed your ant story, dear Ellie. Great inspiration!

And thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog.
It really means the absolute world.

HUGS!
Betty

Noelle Dunn.... A Poet in Progress said...

I always struggle to ask for help - I'm working on that! Again, glad you're back.

Craftsman of light said...

Ellie,
Firstly, i love your blue and mauve background with clouds and stars.

Your stories of the spiders and ants are very inspiring, personally, i did have friendly spiders and ants and always watched them with fascination.....we have a lot to update and learn from these tiny entities we co habit with;

And once again i must tell you how glad i'm too see again blogging!

Love you!
col.

Dulçe ♥ said...

Interesting post indeed... One to think about...
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

This is so very true! I know for myself personally, I need to stop trying to be so independent and ask for help when I need it although these days I really just want to try and get it from God because I feel that in my life I have depended on man way to much. Nevertheless good friends and family are good to have and can be hard to come upon so we should try and cherish them when we get them! :o) So glad that you had a good support system in your time of need. No need to thanks us for being there... we love you girl!!! At the end of the day we are one one big happy blog family that LOve and support one another in our time of need! Love ya and I pray that you are having a great weekend! :o)

Robyn Campbell said...

A wonderful reminder of the awesomeness that is God.He does think Ant is important. If he thinks that about Ant, then how much more does he want to help us in our time of need. I'm struggling right now. Wondering if I should even continue writing. I don't know what God's will for my life is.

Thank you for following my blog over at Putting pen To Paper. It's lovely to know you. I'm glad the sun is pressing through. I can't imagine. Sending you tons of hugs, even though they are cyber hugs, I hope you can feel their warmth.

Donna B. said...

Another wonderful life illustration. Your observations are so insightful and put into such a creative story to share with little ones or grown ups. Thank YOU for sharing your sweet soul and spirit with us...

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Some days . . . one word is enough. Praying for you in your journey.

Fondly,
Glenda