When I was eight years old, I spent the summer with my grandparents in Wisconsin. I took home many loving memories.
Some of the lessons that I learned that summer from my grandmother have stayed with me into adulthood and I have passed them along to my children. I learned how to ride a bike and how to float in a swimming pool. I also learned that insects, even if they scare me, are God’s creatures, too.
All summer long I participated in many activities at Lakeside Park. The annual pet contest was very popular with all the kids. I was sad because I didn’t have a pet to enter into the contest.
My grandmother told me that I might find a pet outside. She helped me capture a Stag Beetle and I entered him in the contest as my pet.
I ended up winning 1st place for the Ugliest Pet – a new category that they added just for my beetle.
I found out that Stag Beetles are very beneficial because they maintain forest health by breaking down decaying wood. Despite their scary appearance, they are harmless to humans.
With my grandmother’s loving guidance, I came to think of one of the ugliest of God’s creatures as beautiful.
Mary Kaeding
I am posting this reflection one day earlier this week. I will be to traveling tomorrow to attend a nine-day class in Stockbridge, Massachusetts to obtain my ‘Mindful Outdoor Guide Certification’ in preparation for launching Scripture Walk in September. I will post Part 2 of this reflection next week.