Jun 25

Written by:
6/25/2008 8:53 AM 

I was out running errands. When I walked to my car, something caught my eye on the pavement. It was a green metallic object. Because a part of my personality is always expecting to find treasure in unlikely places, I knelt down to get a closer look.

It was a small fly. Dead. Frozen in time. My brain says a fly is not worth a second look, much less a dead fly. But my heart made me want to take a look. 

It was an iridescent green, glinting in the light of the noonday sun. Carefully attached to the sides of its beautiful green body, were wings that looked like a rainbow captured in plastic wrap. 

A long time ago, I got over what people think of a grown woman kneeling down looking at something on the ground or pavement. If I had not been delivered from the opinions of others, I would be too embarrassed to be seen kneeling beside a dead fly, or taking a picture of an oil spot on wet pavement. But, things like that are treasures for me. I am compelled to look, and then capture them in digital form. I do it because things like that bring me great delight.

So, I did what has become natural to me. I get my camera- which is never far away- and I take way too many close ups images of this little creature that is lying in repose on the hot concrete. 

My mind wanders back to some words in a Passover dinner. ‘It would’ve been enough…”. In that context, the Jewish people are recounting all that the Lord God has done to preserve them, and His mighty wonders they hand down from generation to generation. For instance, it would have been enough if He had just delivered them from the bondage of Egypt, but He brought them out victoriously parting the Red Sea for them. With everything they repeat that it ‘would’ve been enough’, if He had just done that, they add one more thing that was not necessary, but an extra blessing.

That captures my feeling perfectly while I am examining this little fly. It would’ve been enough if God had just created a marvelous flying creature. Intricate and complex in its utter simplicity. Aerodynamics and superb engineering. He could have stopped there. But, it wasn’t enough. It lacked one detail that could delight and amaze those who would stop and look. Color! He gave it a great paint job. Not just green. Iridescent, metallic, bright green. And the wings could have just been functional. But, no, they had to reflect the light of the sun with the colors of the rainbow. Lagniappe- Louisiana word for doing something extra & unexpected.

One of God’s names is El Shaddai- the God that is more than enough! His intent is to delight us daily. So, the next time you see one of His wonderful creations, stop and examine it. And then, whisper a ‘thank you’ directed to His extravagantly creative heart. If you love and appreciate the art, tell the Artist!

Copyright ©2008 glenda clark