The spider and the fly...

The spider and the fly...

My daughter showed me a beautiful white spider reposing on a white rose petal yesterday...then we realized it was eating a fly, quietly munching away until at last it was gone...as I later photographed the spider sans fly and full belly...

Right after I took the first photo, I was walking along and noticed two other spider webs beautifully constructed in the bushes...each had a “platform” which slopped to a tunnel where the spider hid awaiting his/her prey or unsuspecting capture...a magnificent trap...

And yet another web of a different spider with bugs cocooned in web awaiting their demise...

I had to find this very appropriate poem I had heard many years ago...

“THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Spider to the Fly,''Tis the prettiest parlour that ever did you spy;The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,And I have many curious things to show when you are there.''Oh no, no,' said the little Fly, 'to ask me is in vain,For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again.'

'I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;Will you rest upon my little bed?' said the Spider to the Fly.'There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;

And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!

“Oh no, no,' said the little Fly, 'for I've often heard it said,They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!'

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, 'Dear friend, what can I do,To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;I'm sure you're very welcome--will you please to take a slice?''Oh no, no,' said the little Fly, 'kind sir, that cannot be,I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see.'

'Sweet creature,' said the Spider, 'you're witty and you're wise;How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,If you'll step in a moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.''I thank you, gentle sir,' she said, 'for what you're pleased to say,And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day.'

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing:'Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;Your robes are green and purple--there's a crest upon your head;Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead.'

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;Thinking only of her crested head--poor foolish thing! 

At last,Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,Within his little parlour--but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children who may this story read,

To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:

Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye,

And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.”

by Mary Howitt 

Enticing, flattering, deceitful words...have we not hear of these before?

Genesis 3, Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the memorable scenes where Satan temps...Adam and Eve succumb to the temptation while Christ does not...thank YOU...

38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Mark 14:38

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Galatians 6:1

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

1 Thessalonians 3:5

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4:15

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

There are many, many enticements in this world... help us each flee the things that have that pull on our lives to drag us down into that welcoming, deadly web...submitting to God our burdens and cares...thank YOU...