“Grandma, why do you always put scrunched up plastic bags in your wellies?”
“To keep the scorpions out, of course.”
Old habits die hard! This habit was drummed in on my first stepping foot into West Africa. Every crawling thing seemed to be so much bigger there and, of course, hazardous.
Nobody here believes that centipedes are over 4-6 inches in length, with extra-long legs to move them very fast. If you go to the Natural History Museum at Tring, you will see them. However frightening and dangerous they may be, they are all God’s creatures.
Here, God’s creation has come alive with birds singing, trees blossoming, roses about to flower and tiny centipedes scuttling about.
It is impossible not to smile and to thank God for all the joy they bring. And to thank God also for the things we haven’t got. Imagine trying to be alert enough to keep children running about barefoot, safe from scorpions, snakes and all sorts of hidden dangers. If you step on a column of ants, they will be all over you before you can blink.
As our weather warms up, creatures and diseases will migrate north. The Asian Hornet is already here. Aren’t we lucky to be living here with so few dangerous creatures and a National Health Service nearby just when we need it.
Cicely Murfitt
Ministry Team
Shingay Group of Churches