How Rollie-Pollies and Lady Bugs Changed My Outlook

I watched as my three year old daughter got ecstatic over something as “insignificant” as finding a lady bug and roly-poly in the yard; this got me thinking as to why I was not just as excited as her about life in general. She ran around having to show and tell everyone about her latest discovery. I couldn’t help but smile and play along as she showed me a roly-poly all rolled up into defense mode as they do when a three year old picks them up. As I stood there admiring her enthusiasm for these little bugs I was reminded of my childhood and the times I would get so excited about something I couldn’t contain it.

My mind went two different directions with this and eventually wound the two different ideas together. The first memory and idea was how excited I use to get about God. Ask my grandparents or my parents and they will tell you a story of a four year old Wesley getting on the stage at church and preaching to the congregation about “doing what was right and good so you didn’t get spanked” and how “you have to treat your cousins nicely or you’re going to get a whoopin.” I preached that message with a burning passion and excitement according to my family; possibly due to the fact that I was preaching from many experiences. In more recent years I have done like most of us and drifted in and out of that burning desire for God. I have noticed however, as I go through that season of truly seeking Him I become more blessed and the difficulties of life seem to have less control on my emotions and moods. I become more dependent of God and more aware of what He is doing in my life. It was during one of these seasons I began to understand my calling. Thus, the second direction my mind went while watching that beautiful four year old little girl come calling to me to look and see her amazing discovery.

Hunting, the last time I can remember being that excited (obviously besides spending time with my daughter and her birth) was hunting. Now there are several moments in my life I can remember being as excited as she was and a majority of them involve hunting. I was blessed this year to kill my first banded duck. It is true bands make me dance. In that moment I didn’t care how goofy I looked or sounded; I had just accomplished a lifelong dream, I had shot a banded drake mallard. What made it even more exciting was getting to share the experience with two of my best friends. And when I thought back to that moment I realized that’s what it was, that’s why she was so excited.

I was blessed to share my banded duck experience with Kyle and Tanner. Kailey (my daughter) wanted to share her experience of finding this amazing creature with her daddy. Having those moments of joy are awesome but when you get to share them with someone they become extraordinary and unforgettable. Just like I couldn’t wait to tell and show everyone the beginnings of my “jewelry collection” she couldn’t wait to show and tell everyone about her bug collection.

That is why I am here on this earth. I am here to share my experiences, the good and the bad. God has called me to a greater life than I can ever achieve on my own, He has blessed me beyond what I could ask for, and now he simply asks me to trust him. So I will. Will you?