To Catch a Lizard...

One weekend last September, Lincoln decided his goal was to catch a lizard. He was very determined and kept requesting that I help him hunt for one.  I was thinking it was way too hot and I had no clue how he was going to find one out in the heat.  I told him to go look on his own outside while I did a few things in the house, not at all expecting him to have any success.  He went outside with Gwen and wandered around a little for a few minutes, then decided to come back in to enlist my help again.  As he approached the door, either he, or Gwen (can't remember who) happened to look down into a bucket next to the back door and spotted this sitting in it.  

They excitedly called to me to come look.  When I saw what was there, I couldn't believe it!  I should give some background.  Lincoln really likes lizards, but had never held one and when we had the geckos, he would hardly touch them.  He always seemed too scared so when he told me he wanted to catch lizards, I was thinking in the back of my mind, "yeah, but then you'd have to touch one."  This lizard in the bucket was literally the perfect way for Lincoln to "catch" a lizard.  Here was an opportunity to overcome his fear of touching them, without the concern of it getting away while he vacillated between his fear and his desire to catch one.

Once I came out to see the lizard, I encouraged him to pick it up.  He had all sorts of excuses for why he couldn't or shouldn't pick it up so I told him to go get his work gloves, which he did.  He reached down into the bucket, but that lizard was so fast, he was having a hard time get ahold of it.  

I gave him another pep talk and he said a little prayer to gain his courage, then...

Ta da!  He "caught" his lizard!  

Because we don't have the greatest track record for animal caretaking, I convinced him to let it go.  He did, but regretted it instantly.  I suppose I'm a bad mom.  

I just couldn't help but marvel at this little gift from Heavenly Father.  Here Lincoln had been wanting to catch a lizard so much and I had no clue how we were going to do that.  So, our Father in Heaven provided this perfect opportunity that absolutely made our day!  It just reminded me a little of the lilies of the field.