Originally posted March 6, 2013.
Remember in Charlotte’s Web when Charlotte wrote “Some Pig” in the web to try and save Wilbur’s life? Poor old Wilbur was due to be butchered to feed the family, but his best friend, a tiny spider, wrote the amazing words that would end up ensuring that Wilbur was loved and admired by everyone who knew him. She saved his life, proved her loyalty, and died an anonymous writer. It’s funny how everyone in the barnyard and all the people at the fair thought the spider’s messages pointed to what an incredible pig Wilbur was. Because what Charlotte did actually proved that she was a very remarkable spider.
In truth, there was nothing that incredible about old Wilbur. In fact, he was whiney, cowardly, immature, ignorant and, of course, the runt of the litter. Charlotte, on the other hand, was graceful, kind, intelligent, gracious, merciful, and self-sacrificing.
I really hate the fact that when I try to see myself in the story I know I am Wilbur. Nothing special. A little whiney. Far from all-knowing. Worried. Afraid. Selfish. I mean, I am really just a regular old pig wallowing in the mud and slop of this crazy out-of-order world, just waiting around for my trip to the slaughterhouse. Not only that, even among the pigs I’m extra small in importance, brains, influence, wisdom.
But, I have a Charlotte.
God writes His goodness across my life for all to see. He makes me special with His amazing abilities. He changed my destiny with His words. He writes “My Child.” “Forgiven.” “Beautiful.” “Redeemed.” “Gifted.” “Loved.” And what He writes reveals that He is an incredible God. Because these aren’t just words woven into a spider’s web. They are truths etched on my heart, broadcast in my weakness, and fulfilled through His power alone.
Why He chose to save me from my miserable piggy life I’ll never know. But, I am literally eternally grateful to my own Charlotte, the creator of love, the origin of all Truth, the God of the universe. Lord of all. Author of my story. My favorite writer.
i love this! …especially since I have referred to myself as a piggy for years because it is a fitting picture for my wallowing, plus I love my pigs (that’s how my blog name was born).
God is so gracious and patient with my Wilbur-like life. Unlike Wilbur though, I am trying to hide under the shadow God. I’m ok if God decides that I should become bacon in this lifetime.