Weaver Ants

A lesson from ants on Motherhood (part 2)

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Weaver ants are a perfect example of teamwork and unity. They all work together to build their home.



Weaver ants building their home



The weaver ants climb on top of each other making a bridge to reach the small branches they need. They first try and find the right leaves by pulling at them with their mandibles. Then a group of them will join together to pull the leaf to the edge of another leaf. They hold on to each other's 'waists!'



Now, that's teamwork!



Sometimes large chains of ants work together to bring the leaves close together.

 Some workers will go and get larvae from other nests. The larvae are squeezed, and as a result produce silk. The worker ants then use the silk to bind the leaves together. Then the larvae can be placed inside the nest. The queen ant is at the center of all the activity, waiting to bring the next generation into the new nest.

The finished product!

Wow! Isn't that an amazing example of what our homes should be like?Working together to make a happy home.

Unfortunately, too often homes more likely resemble battlegrounds. Everyone against each other. Each one for his own. And yet parents who fight and tear each other down will try and teach their children to get along with each other! Jesus warned the disciples about the Pharisees, “Do what they say, but not what they do.” Would Jesus say the same to our children? How can we teach our children to act as a team, when we don't model it in our marriage?

It's easy to forget that we're on the same team. So easy! We are naturally selfish and proud. We think our way is the best.

But Jesus said,  “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25

And Proverbs says “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”

I pray that my home would be like a weaver ants nest! And that my children would learn how to get along with each other through watching how their Mum and Dad treat each other.