How to build a bug bed

My 5-year-old boy is into bugs. He can’t get enough of them! We regularly go on bug hunts wherever we are, lifting up rocks and logs, peering into trees and digging in the earth to see what creepy, crawly delights we can find! 

Some of his absolute favourites are millipedes and slater bugs because they’re so friendly and active. He’ll make houses for them out of ‘craft’ as he likes to call it and give each critter a point when they find their way out of the houses and onto the table.

Another favourite of his is looking for what he has affectionately and fearfully termed R.B.T. (Red Back Territory). When we actually find one (which is more likely at certain times of the year than others), he steps back, gives a yelp and says, “Daddy I got the feeling!” But then we have a good look at it and I think secretly he finds the danger and fear a bit exciting. 

He found a millipede the other day, a big one he named Honker, grabbed a bottle top from his ‘craft’, put some grass and leaves in the bottle top and made a bed for his little friend to sleep in because “they are nocturnal” he tells me. He then showed me his little creation and said, “Daddy, you write Bible blogs don’t you? Why don’t you write one about how to build a bug bed?” Gorgeous.

I love that he is so interested in all the little details and facts and that he takes the time to stop and look at them for as long as he can. I love how gentle and caring he is with them all. Most of all I love that he believes they are a part of God’s creation, no question. Some adults might be horrified by this and think he has been brainwashed by his parents to believe in God without question, but for all our wisdom, us adults can be very complicated and confusing with our politics and pride. And that can be to our detriment.

Romans 1:20 says, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (NLT) My boy, with his youthful innocence and simple view of the world, is such a fantastic example of this to me. He has yet to be confused by the complicated world of adults. 

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.  Don’t stop them!  For the Kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (NLT) And in Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (NLT)

Us adults have a lot we can learn from our kids…