My Revelation Of The Fire Ant

I first learned of the fire ant in the pamphlet accompanying the water bill. Days later, I received a visit from a bug guy who wanted to spray our home and yard for every type of imaginable creature. I vividly remember him asking if I had seen fire ants in the yard to which I replied a firm, confident “No!”

One beautiful Sunday afternoon I was deadheading my perennials. I was enjoying my small garden and pondering my love of gardening. And then it happened. I felt an indescribable burning pain in the big toe on my left foot. As quickly as my brain could tell my eyes to have a look, I saw what appeared to be a small brown ant. He was doing his best to bore a hole straight through my toe, with his body swinging wildly in midair.

I must confess that this ant probably wasn’t a he. Though I am unsure, I have heard it is the female who inflicts pain on humans. I felt I should mention this though it is hard for me to accept. I still plan to call the ant a he since this is my story to tell.

In what seemed like slow motion, yet as quickly as possible, I flicked him off my toe. But it was too late. The pain and burning were in full progress. It felt like a sting with an intense burning that goes beyond words. I have learned that the fire ant bites to hang on (not the painful part) and then injects you with his venom (the painful part).

Monday arrived and I had developed a blister which was oozing and itching. How can one small ant create one small blister on one small body part that controlled my every waking thought?

Wednesday came and I was still oozing, itching and praying for a miracle.

What I learned from the fire ant:

• The fire ant is not fire-engine red as I had assumed.
• The fire ant is to be respected and watched out for at all times.
• Never again trust any ant, of any size, or any color.
• Big things do come in small packages.
• The fire ant is straight from the pit of Hades.
• Maybe I should have allowed the bug guy to spray.
• I am adding fire ants to my list of awful creatures in Texas: rattle snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, fire ants.
• The fire ant can cause you to realize 1) there is fear in your heart that must be dealt with – 2) you must brush up on healing scriptures and 3) better look up those authority scriptures while you’re at it, such as, “Greater is He that is in me than the fire ant that is in my yard.”