By Carole L Haines
14 What they trust in is fragile
what they rely on is a spider’s web.
15 They lean on that web, but it gives way;
they cling to it, but it does not hold.
(Job 8:14-15)
I noticed one morning before getting into the shower, a tiny little spider spinning her web. My first introduction to the wonders of spiders came through the reading of the book Charlottes Web, by E. B. White. I fell in love with Charlotte the spider and Wilbur the pig. Truth be told, my personality exposes in me a soul more akin to Wilbur than Charlotte. Yet I am married to a wise and discerning Charlotte.
Forty years of beautiful marriage have fleshed out the fact that both personality types are not only needed, but beloved. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise anyone who knows me, that I was fascinated watching this spider weave her invisible web, seemingly hanging upon nothing; even as the Lord has hung the earth we walk upon.
My love for spiders has caused me never to kill one, even in my own home. In our area, the only dangerous ones are brown recluses and black widows, but she was not one of these. Wolf spiders, now that’s a Man-Job; yet Bruce’s gentle spirit won’t kill things either. We’ve had many comical moments as Bruce grabs something to catch these spiders, crickets and other insect sprites; tripping and blundering them out the door.
O what our men must do because of their deeply undeserved love for us
I grew accustomed to my sweet little shower visitor, I would watch her weave her threads and catch her gnats, mosquitoes and flies. Her weaving reminds me of the work of Holy Spirit in each of our lives.
One morning I was grieved to see a little black spot lying in my tub. She had become as a friend, a gentle creature of God. As I reached for her, I wept at the loss.
INVISBLE THREADS by: Carole L. Haines
Invisible Threads, silent weaver appearing to walk upon the air
casting shadows with every movement silent, deliberate prayer
graceful, perfect-timed precision goes the rhythm of His ways
seeing dimly through smokey glass glimpses of His work displayed
Every venture, each step taken Whether simple or extraordinaire
Every heartache each time of laughter has a purpose in His plan
The wind, it blows where it wishes and you can always hear its sound
But where it comes from and where it’s going Is left always to The Master’s care
Holy Spirit, praying for me Interceding with deep groans
Deeper still than human yearnings much too deep for human words
Pray for me now, O Silent Weaver invisible threads of Holy Prayer
Bring me closer to my Savior and in Your power keep me there
“In nature God has given us many examples of the fragility and brevity of life. What we cling to reveals where we try to find our stability and security. Life is too precious and too short to cling to anything or anyone else, aside from the God who created these delicate lives.“
(Bruce Nevin Haines, my husband)
hisshadowings.com 