CONSIDER THE SILVERFISH
by Julie Lavender

My husband is an avid reader and book collector. As an entomologist by profession, he would most likely say he hadn’t met many insects he disliked.

But, I met one before heading out on my walk with God today – the dreaded silverfish. It’s my husband’s nemesis! And it was crawling on the bathroom wall!

The small wingless insect gets its name from the silvery body color and the fact that it moves in an almost fish-like motion using the antennae to wiggle along with the help of its short legs.

CONSIDER THE BEAUTYBERRY BUSH

by Julie Lavender

Iridescent, dark violet berries hang in clusters beneath chartreuse leaves, attracting the attention of hungry birds and nibbling mammals. The American beautyberry shrub, aptly named, certainly catches my attention on a winter walk.

The long, arching branches droop with the weight of its fruit from early fall to late winter. Some of the berries become snacks for raccoons and squirrels and armadillos and opossums. Quail, cardinals, mockingbirds and a variety of songbirds partake in the delicacies, too. And the deer forage on them heavily, too.

Yet, many of the berries cling to the bush throughout the bleak months of early winter, lending color to an otherwise drab landscape. The berries, though beautiful, are somewhat bitter in taste, so they’ll do in a pinch for a hungry critter, but might not be the preferred morsel. At least, not when other tasty treats are available.

I think God did that on purpose….in fact, I know He did.