While looking through some old photos recently, my mind was intrigued by the photos of this spider web.  I quickly thought of several blog ideas around the web photos. As I considered which direction to take, I was drawn to one particular theme – those seemingly delicate “threads” holding the web to the trees. This particular web was about 20 feet above the ground and was anchored to several trees near a cabin.  The mid-morning sunlight reflecting on the center of the web caught my eye. 

I look at this photo and notice first the shiny, tightly spun circular center.  To me it resembles a shiny new CD. Then my eyes are drawn to the “dotted” lines around that circular center.  It amazes me to see the thick, then thin pattern in those lines. Finally, those  delicate looking threads that anchor the web to the surrounding trees.  There appears to be five strands.  The spider’s web is literally “hanging by a thread” – or five.  

I imagine something soon caused the web to crumple.  It would not have taken much.  An act of nature such as a strong wind gust or a branch falling from a tree may have caused it to crumple.  Maybe a bird that knocked a thread loose as it flew by or a squirrel that pushed the thread loose from the tree. Possibly a human caused it to crumple. I can easily picture a young child tossing something towards the web to see if they could hit it.  Maybe the spider that spun the web was finished using it and knocked it loose itself.

People are sometimes like webs.  Many of us are simply “hanging by a thread” some days. If just one thread is knocked loose, we too may crumple.  As we meet people in our daily lives – young or old – we may never realize how delicate their “threads” have become.  Or maybe, like myself, you have had days where you were the one “hanging by a thread”.  There are simply days like that.  But for some, it is a daily battle to keep those threads tightly anchored to something secure.

Many times someone unknowingly speaks without thinking and causes another to crumple. Sadly, there are also times when someone intentionally speaks negative words that cause another to crumple.  In several locations around the school I work in, I see this acronym – THINK.  It is a good reminder of taking the time to “think” before speaking. Consider these five questions when you are tempted to give a quick retort:

T  –  is it true?

H – is it helpful?

I   – is it inspiring?  

N  – is it necessary? 

K – is it kind?

Our world is full of people delicately hanging by a thread.  Don’t be the one that causes them to crumple. Strive to be someone that helps strengthen their threads. Help reconnect those loose threads before they crumple.  If you happen to have a day in which you are the one hanging by a thread, I pray you seek support from a trusted friend.  Jesus and godly friends have always been strong anchors for me!

    . . . encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

1 Thessalonians 5:13