Maggots

 “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.”

(1 John 3:2)

I hate maggots! My very first recollection of this white, wormy, decay-eating insect was back on the farm when someone ran over a big toad in the driveway with the car. For several days, I watched that dead thing and wondered how long it would take to disappear or if some other critter would eat it. It really smelled nasty. After about four days, as I stood by this flattened dead toad, it moved. It scared me and I hollered and ran to the house but I came back again.

I finally got the nerve to kick it to see what was making it appear alive. What a surprise I got; it was a real-life science lesson and one I will never, ever forget. Underneath were hundreds of these little wormy things all writhing and twisting around. I was so grossed out that I remember gagging.

What on earth can we possibly learn from a maggot? Well, I learned that they have a purpose and place, and that they are only ugly for a while. My grandfather, the nature lover, explained the necessity of maggots as they feed on / clean up decomposing tissues.

So, what makes them ugly? Is it the thought of them eating stinking, rotten stuff? Is it because they turn into flies? What makes them so grotesque? In my mind, they are connected with wastefulness, carelessness or death.

A fly lives about 15-25 days and can lay 5 or 6 batches of eggs which gives us thousands of maggots (the larvae stage of the fly). They go through a change and leave that squirmy stage only to get wings and fly (and annoy us).

I am sure you know someone in your life who has been less that captivating to hang with; someone who has left you feeling like you need to go home and clean up, take a shower or at the very least, freshen up. I think it is very helpful to know that this could all change quickly. We know about butterflies but even as caterpillars, they are cute, fuzzy and we know what lies ahead for them. Flies (like people) can be less than fascinating and are sometimes closer to irritating.

God did not make mistakes when He made flies or exasperating people. They have a purpose. I might not like them, but over my almost seven decades, I have watched them completely do their job and even change…hmmm…maybe I should just be grateful.

Forever with Chris Tomlin

Father, help me to be sing praises and grateful for all of Your creation, not just the pretty parts. Help me remember that every person is created in Your image and can be transformed by Your Holy Spirit. AMEN.