|
By Barry Buzza
[other pieces by By Barry Buzza]
Solomon says, go to the ant, O sloth, observe her ways and be wise; so I did. Here's what I learned form a persistent little ant last summer.
After eating a handful of potato chips, I threw a few scraps on the sand in front of our patio to see if any of the ants were hungry. After a couple of minutes wait, I watched an ant about ?" long tenuously grab a one inch chip in his jaws. He was determined as he hauled the huge piece several inches.
After a couple of minutes of pulling ad dragging and trying again, the chip became wedged on a small pebble. The ant worked on it for a minute or so longer and finally shook his little head , to say, "Forget it". He walked away about four inches and stopped to think. Then with strong resolve he turned back to try again.
I knew better than he that he didn't stand a chance, and although I was curious as to how long he and would persist I stepped in, in mercy, to help. I took a small stick and broke the chip in two. He had no idea what just happened, maybe it was just good luck, but he jumped at the opportunity. The chip was still, easily two or three times as heavy as he was, but he locked onto it like a bull dog and started his journey to who-knows-where. After climbing ant size hills up and down, being continuously flipped by his food on the down side, he made it about three more feet.
Continue article >>
|
Now there as a formidable wall in his way. The sidewalk before him was at least 16 times his length. He tried to climb it with the chip in his mouth and fell. Then he attempted another route but realized he had not choice but to scale the wall. Seven times he'd almost get to the top when he would tumble to the bottom. I was cheering him on -- maybe that's why he persisted to try the eighth time. And he made it.
Across the three foot sidewalk he happily pranced until the chip fell from his grip. I picked it up with my finger and placed it directly in front of him. I wasn't sure if my scent would deter him.
Soon another red ant moved in on the meal. There was a short skirmish which the first ant won. Off he proudly marched, conquest in his mouth. Finally I lost track of him in a maze of undergrowth.
These seven lessons are what the ant taught me:
He know what he wanted.
He knew where he was going.
He pursued his dream even thought it was bigger than he was.
He often set his work aside to plan ahead.
He was willing to fight for his reward.
He never gave up.
Barry Buzza, a veteran pastor, is the president elect of the The Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada. www.foursquare.ca
July 10/2008
|
