Ladybugs

Every Fall, as soon as it starts to get cold outside, we receive some new tenants in our house.

Only these tenants have orange backs with black dots, have multiple legs, and love to fly around and check things out.

Yes, it’s the good old ladybug which comes to dwell with us when it starts to get too darn cold for them outside. During the winter, a lot of them unfortunately will go on to ladybug heaven, but there are always a few survivors who stick around and become our friends.

I’ve come to admire the pluck and spirit of these little creatures. They’re actually quite playful. Just the other evening, I was eating dinner in front of the television (I know, bad habit) when a ladybug descended from the ceiling to land and rest right on my shoulder. The ladybug didn’t move once it landed, it just wanted to hang out and enjoy the television I guess. So, I didn’t begrudge her that, and together, we hung out and watched the evening news.

As a younger man, I probably would’ve been annoyed at having these harmless little creatures as house guests. Now, they entertain me and provide me with laughter each day. You never know where one is going to turn up. The other day, I was brushing my teeth, and when I went to rinse my mouth, one descended right down in the sink! Luckily, I saw her, so I rinsed my mouth very slowly and carefully, lest I drown my new friend in toothpaste!

God provides us with lots of friends, you know, and not all of them are of the human variety. These ladybugs, while obviously not on the same developmental plane as my bipedal friends, are no less entertaining and cheerful. It’s almost as if they sense we are a welcome spot for them, and they come and take up residence with us much the same as family would.

I’ve come to be thankful to God for providing us friends like the garden variety ladybug. I’ve learned that there really is no creature too small or simple to play a role in the grand wheel of life. Even the ladybug can bring us pleasure.

And, quite honestly, they’re really good company to boot!

-The Minister