Beetle Homes

Sixty-plus years ago, a young teenager of 13 made this profound statement: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Her name was Anne Frank. She didn't live to see her world improve, but because she exhibited wisdom beyond her lean years, we are still being inspired, today, to act out this thought.

When I was a little girl, I would improve the world by making exquisite little homes for the beetles and spiders that lived in our shurbbery beyond the roses, using twigs and moss and pebbles, even creating miniature ponds, so that a lovely afternoon swim could be enjoyed by the whole beetle family!

Later, decades later, I read a beautiful letter. It assured me that I was dearly loved. I was encouraged to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Try to be understanding of others, it read, and forgive...as my Lord has forgiven me. It went on: above all these, clothe myself in love, which alone binds them all together in perfect harmony! Here's how it said all this could be accomplished: let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...let His words dwell in you richly. Then, when I am full of His love, His peace, and His words, I will be able to encourage and reach out to others in all wisdom, singing all sorts of marvelous songs to God, with a thankful heart.

Wouldn't this be a tremendous way to improve the world? This, surely, is the only possible way to improve the world: Let there be peace on earth, but let it begin in me.

As we enjoy this beautiful spring weather, celebrating life and our heavenly Father's unfailing love to us, let us remember His love letter in Colossians 3: 12-17, and let us begin, today, to improve our world.

Take time to make a few beetle-homes, too! It will certainly broaden YOUR horizions!