Lessons I learned From an Inchworm

The lessons of life come in all shapes and sizes. My last one came in the form of an inch worm. Small, sort of cute in a wormy-kind-of-way, and nothing I would normally stop and notice. Well, maybe I’d stop for a second and smile, but then I’d keep walking with my to-do list weighing heavily on my mind.

But this was different. This time my trip from one building to the next would be completely halted by an inch long worm. My mind was whirling with thoughts that turned into prayers as I was desperate to see God move in a specific area of my wee little world. Anxious for answers and wondering if God even noticed, I was feeling much like Job who said, “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.I stand before you, but you don’t even look.”

Have you ever felt like that? I know we know God is faithful and that He will never leave us or forsake us, but we all face seasons of silence when we’re desperate to hear God’s voice. To see Him open doors and move mountains. This was one of those times.

My problem is I grew up in a Burger King world where we learned to want it now and to want it our way. So, while I tend to have a drive-thru mentality, I have something more like an inchworm reality. And on my way down the breezeway that day, the Lord got my attention and answered the cry of my heart.

I watched as wasps flew quickly from one place to the next and butterflies carelessly…almost effortlessly flitted on their course to no where. “Why can’t my life be like that? Why is it that others seem to soar through life as if a red carpet of answered prayers was placed before their every step, yet mine come painfully slow?”

The answer came in the form of inchworm making its way along the paved trail of concrete leading to its long awaited destination. Quickly making my way back to the office I looked down and noticed this cute little creature moving in slinky-like motion. I was busy and wanted to hurry on my way when I sensed the Lord stopping me in my tracks to take note of the little guy on the ground. It’s as if He spoke to my heart and said, “Stephanie, when’s the last time you saw an inchworm? You want things to happen fast, but your path is to be more like an inchworm’s. Little by little. But just like the inchworm…you’ll get there.”

It’s funny how the Living God delights in speaking to our hearts when He seems to be silent in our circumstances. It’s even funnier how He chooses to stop us in our tracks to teach us life lessons from something as simple as an inchworm.

Oh, how I love how He loves us! I’m so thankful for His still small voice, His unconditional love and the lessons He taught me that day from an inchworm.

“Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:9

What are some lessons He has taught you lately?

5 Comments

  1. He seems to be using His creation to teach us ALL lessons lately. I learned NOT to be a goldfish. 🙂 (more info on my blog)

    hugs,
    Donna

  2. Hi, Stephanie 🙂
    I received my first email post from you and was sincerely happy to see it.

    I love your inchworm analogy and it's one I will try to keep in mind since I, like you, am in that same place. It's SO hard to be patient when life, and I, want and need it NOW! lol
    Thanks!
    :Donna Marie

  3. Hi Donna,
    I just hopped over to your page and was encouraged to see how the Lord speaks truth to your life, as well.

    Honestly! Goldfish and inchworms! They're so small, but the lessons we learn from them are ginormous! Glory to God!!

  4. Hi Donna Marie,
    Thanks so much for subscribing! Isn't it funny how God uses little things like inchworms to show us He loves us and has an awesome plan for our lives!

    I said this in the post, but I really do love the way He loves us!
    Eternally His,
    Stephanie
    Phil 3:7-14

  5. I love inchworms they’re so cute and beautiful and think of how long it takes them to get to one place to another and they take their time to get there and they are not in a hurry. They’re calm and patient little animals who do tend to live each day by being little happy guys. I think they know what they want and need in order to survive and I think people know what they want and need in order to survive in this world. I sure do know what I need in order to survive in this big world too

    I love this post a lot it’s so so true yet so so cute! It just made me stop and think about a lot of things and how I need to stop and slow down with my life instead of rushing into things. Then I’ll be missing a lot of fun in my life and just getting no where in my life. Inch worms take things slow and easy and steady and I think I need to be more like them and them teach me the meaning of life as well. Thank you for this post it’s cute and perfect in every little way too!!☺️

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