From Gory to Glory

 

God is all about beauty. He sees beauty everywhere, even in the things we despise. My son Garrett helped me learn this lesson the other day. Actually, some of the greatest things I've learned in life, I've learned from my children. But don't tell them. That's between you and I.

One day while deep in thought at my desk, something caught the corner of my eye out the window. When I looked up, I gasped. My eyeballs sprung out of their sockets like an airbag on sudden impact. A spider the size of Manhattan was staking its claim outside on my window sill. At first, I was too shocked to budge. My eyes locked on him as if my invisible retina radar would prevent his escape. I stared at him, daring him to move. His black hairy beads stared back.

What could I smash him with? I wondered. A shoe wasn't big enough for this premeditated slaughter. It had to be something large enough to compensate for my failure to aim properly. Did I have anything that big? It also had to be at least fifty yards long. My son only has two legs and he can run a 50-yard dash in mere seconds. This spider had eight legs.

As I realized that my options for murder weapons were few, a surge of panic swept over me. This spider had me trapped. I needed to search for weaponry but I could not leave my post. I must keep my eye on this enemy.

My only option was to cry out for reinforcements.

"GAAARREETT!"

Two second seemed like two hours. Steel strings echoed down the hall from Garrett's private jam session. Instead of a manly promise of protection, all I heard were reverbs that resembled a robot on acid.  

Oh, that stupid amplifier. I moaned.

The spider started to move. I yelled louder-as if that were possible.

"GAAARREETT!"

No answer.

I reached for my cell phone. I texted H-E-L-P and hit send without taking my eye off of my adversary.

Finally, back up arrived. 

"What's the matter, Mom?"

"Look, I pointed, my fingers trembling."

"Wow, awesome dude."

"Garrett, I'm not-oh never mind! You've got to kill it!"

"Kill it?"

"Yes, now!"

"But, Mom," Garrett protested. "That's the most amazing spider I've ever seen. Can I keep it?"

"NO!"

"I could put it in my old lizard's cage."

"Absolutely not! Now run outside and kill it for me. I'll keep my eye on it in case it tries to escape."

"What do you want to kill it for?"

"Because-it's a spider, that's why! Hurry!"

"But look at its yellow markings, Mom. That's a really cool spider. Plus, he's there for a reason. My science teacher says that spiders are a natural deterrent to other pests. As much as you hate him, he is actually helping you."

Helping me? Since when did you become the voice of reason?

In the micro second that it took me to blink, my opponent had vanished. Reasoning with a teen ager-such a futile and counter-productive task! Hopefully, that spider would stay outside where he belongs.  

After I caught my breath, I pondered the harsh reality of Garrett's wisdom. I hated to admit it, but Garrett was right. Even though that fanged beast was repulsive and dreadful, he was my helper. He served a purpose.

Come to think of it, spiders and problems have a lot in common.

I hate spiders as much as I hate adversity. I wanted the spider to go away just like I want all of my gory problems to go away. I want to squash them both, kill them, get rid of them and live without them. But God see the beauty in an eight legged mini monster just like he sees the beauty in our troubles. They both have a purpose for existence.

If we allow the Lord to help us in the midst of our gory problems, our gory turns to glory.

I learned a weighty lesson with that creepy spider. What we deem ugly, God (and Garrett) declares beautiful. What we despise, God celebrates. He knows our pain but it is there for a reason it. There is purpose in our pain and one day, if we surrender our hurts to Him, He will use it for his glory.