The Mantis

Today started out nice with music camp, and although Daddy had to work, Madison and Mommy still joined him at church for a "tomato sandwich lunch." This was a nice event put together by the church staff to get us all together for a bit: it worked. Madison came right after camp, and came face to face with one her favorite foods: tomatoes!

Before getting out the door this morning, Mommy discovered our newest pet by the front door: a praying mantis. Of course, it wasn't the one from "Kung Fu Panda." This was the second or third sighting of a praying mantis by our front door. We showed Madison our new pet once more, and we told her it was a younger one. She saw the size of the thing and told us it must have been a grown-up one!

Interesting history with the praying mantis - we had a regular one at our old house by the front door as well. It got to a point where Daddy would leave the light on in order to attract bugs, thereby creating an all-you-can eat buffet situation for our pet praying mantis. It was like the Golden Corral!

It was a very early date Mommy and Daddy were on when we found a praying mantis in our seat. This was long before we were married, at an Atlanta Braves game, believe it or not. Daddy is such a pacifist when it comes to even bugs that he had to "rescue" the thing: I took it up and carried it off to safety, away from the crowd. I think that made Mommy proud: we saved the little critter, at least for another night.

At home tonight for dinner, it was another visit to Tony's: we had spaghetti. This is a favorite of Madison's, and Daddy likes it too. It was interesting looking at the windows in our home - it's not like we keep the temperature ultra cool inside, but still there was condensation on the windows. That's because it is so hot outside. We're actually under a weather advisory because of the heat: I think with the heat index, the temperature was supposed to have felt 104 degrees today. Ouch! It's a good thing we just stayed indoors...

Recently Madison and Daddy have finished the Lego Pirates game. This was a big undertaking, but it certainly left a vacuum. What to play next? No worries! Daddy picked up Lego Indiana Jones, so we've been looking for lost artifacts and cracking whips. That's one of Daddy's favorite genres, and it's neat to be able to expose Madison to a bit of it early - without worrying about all the scary parts. That's the neat thing about lego games, but the other wonderful thing is how the game has puzzles that you work together to figure out. I can't count on one hand the amount of times Madison has solved something that Daddy has overlooked!

After Madison's bedtime, Mommy and Daddy have been into the "Kung Pow" spirit of things - we've been essentially having a Jackie Chan marathon, watching nothing but Jackie Chan movies. Tonight was "Operation Condor." Good movie!

Music camp continues tomorrow, and on Thursday we continue with ballet class. We missed last week's class because Madison was under the weather. She's still got a bit of a cough, but you can tell she's getting better. Daddy's getting better too - she passed it on to me somewhere around Friday or so. All part of being a parent, huh?

It's time to turn in for the night, but before going, here is a "Kung Pow" message Daddy wrote this series - the one that is all about the praying mantis:

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Students, if there is one virtue you cannot do without, it is… wait for it… patience. This virtue is clearly shown in the story of one member of the Furious Five: the Mantis.

What is patience? Simply put, it is enduring through delays, trouble or suffering without getting upset. The Mantis symbolizes patience – and prayer.

If you’ve ever studied a praying mantis, you can see his careful movements – not at all quick and impulsive. Great thought goes into each step. And notice as well the arms of the mantis, bent as if in perpetual prayer: In the Bible, Paul tells us to pray without ceasing – right after asking us to be patient and put up with one another.

Patience and prayer: The two go together hand in hand, and bring peace and serenity to one’s heart. Your lesson today is this: with patience and prayer you will find the most powerful tools of a warrior.

But not having patience can lead to trouble. Look to the Bible once more: in the Old Testament, King Saul was an impatient man. He ignored God’s instructions when he chose to do things on his own. He tried to rush God, which is not a good idea. God’s timing is perfect, and as King Saul learned, our timing is not. Learn from his mistake, and learn to listen to God’s word.

We must not rush out impatiently, even if everything around us is screaming to run into action. If we are not ready, the results can be tragic.

So wait for it. This is the good advice of the Mantis. We must be patient, and we must be still. In the movie, “The Karate Kid,” the wise teacher Mr. Han said that, “Being still and doing nothing are two very different things.” In our Bibles, the Author of the universe tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.”

Trust Him, talk to Him, and know Him – and you will know God’s perfect timing for your life. The more you pray, the more you will have one of the most powerful tools of the warrior: patience.