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What’s Bugging You?
Grab
Clean, empty glass jars
Butterfly net
Old white sheet or umbrella
Insect field guide
Go
Today you and your daughter can explore the smaller things in life: bugs! Create a beat sheet in your backyard by spreading an old sheet or umbrella beneath some bushes. Shake the plants and see which insects fall onto your beat sheet. Put them in your collection jars to get a closer look before releasing them into the yard again.
If there is a flat, moist area in your yard you may be able to find some earthworms! Try lifting up rocks or logs to see what small creatures may be living underneath. Keep in mind that larger rocks may be a habitat for less-than-friendly wildlife such as snakes or spiders, so be cautious.
Later in the evening, a light trap can be used to attract a variety of insects. Hang a white sheet behind your porch light or shine a light onto a white garage door. Bugs will be attracted to the white surface and you will be able to catch them for a good look before setting them free.
Grow
Every living thing, big or small, lives in its own unique habitat. When God created the world he knew exactly which home would suit each living thing. If you collected any bugs during your date, you knew that they wouldn’t thrive for long if they were kept in the jars instead of living free where they belong.
We have an ideal spiritual “habitat” as well. God knows we need to be fed by the Word, drink the “living water” Jesus brings, and live our lives alongside other followers of Christ. Read these verses together:
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10:24–25)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Pet. 1:3)
Thank you for giving us a place where we belong: in your kingdom! Help us to know the Bible, to pray with you about everything, and to stay close to other believers who can encourage us. Thank you for giving us everything that we need! Amen.