My Life As A Praying Mantis

Yes, resultant to a praying mantis siting I write. We'd watched one climb from a chair to a small house plant trying to reach the wall on the side of the house. Funny, they have such big eyes but didn't seem like they could figure out exactly how far it was to the wall. It kept putting its front legs out almost as if he was feeling for it. Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever wonder how effective is my prayer? Is anyone listening? Is anyone there?

So we found the mantis later in the house at the end of the passage. I was sweeping and noticed he was making his way to the door, how could he know that was the way? I picked him up on the dustpan and realized that one of his front legs had been injured. It was withered, actually. Hence my decision to check out a bit of research on the Praying Mantis. What a play on words! It does look a bit like it is praying but in fact it is preying! And do you know what Mantis means? In Greek it means diviner or prophet. Hmmm. Just found that interesting as we continue on our journey to the promised land.

The female actually can make a meal out of the male as they get together to make baby praying mantids! Is that wild?!!! The male actually risks becoming the females' main dish just to reproduce! And then when the babies are born, they eventually will eat each other!

A group of friends meets on Fridays to pray. One of these friends this morning was commenting on the power of words and how lifegiving and/or devastating they can be. She also went on to ask our opinion of whether ministry should supercede relationship. There's that word again, ministry. Guess it is time to look up the origin of this word. But for a later post, so tune in again! And feel free to let me know anything you find on ministry and/or superceding relationship!

Friday morning really got me thinking. First of all, it was one of the first times someone got real at the prayer meeting. I mean, we pray a lot for Africa and its nations- very seriously and are either related to or involved in reaching into many of these nations and the people. Seldom though do we hang out with each other- this group of pray-ers.

Then I started thinking about what Jesus told the disciples when He ascended into heaven. Go back and stay in that place till my Father does what He promised. Hmm. What do you think they did all that time in that room? Do you think they ever talked to one another, shared personal stuff, fears, concerns, hurts, etc. Or rather did they just stick to the prayer topics that someone wrote out for them? No offense, but I believe Jesus wanted them to get together in that room for more than the standard rituals that went on in the temple. Besides, it wasn't in a temple that He told them to wait! It was in a house, wasn't it?

Okay, I don't think I need to defend the whole house church idea. That's not what I mean when I talk about this. Remember, we were talking about relationship superseding ministry, right? Jesus is the ultimate example of relationship for us all! He did only what He saw his father doing- wasn't always healing, preaching, rebuking, etc. Sometimes it was just hanging out, having coffee, a meal and fellowship; right? Forgive me, but I really think that when Jesus said do this in memory of me he meant fellowship! I have nothing against communion, it makes sense, it is right. It represents what He did for us. Ultimately He forgave us, healed and reconciled us to His Father! That's relationship, and I think we are falling way short if we don't make room for and value relationship. Ministry, which we have yet to define, still shouldn't supersede relationship. If so, then Jesus might still be here! Hello?