“All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.” James 1: 17-19 

The other day, I was walking to my classroom from Mays Hall and I saw a leaf that looked wrong. And wrong it was—for a leaf. It was a huge moth! (I learned later that I had Ali Abercia to thank for transporting it to the plant in the courtyard from the parking lot). It was furry, dotted with eye-like spots, and had a huge abdomen. It was an impressive specimen. It was so stunning that my 4th graders begged to keep it for 4th grade insect studying. Once we put her in a habitat, she started laying eggs (over 45!). This brought on more study. What was this moth? What does her larva look like? What does she need to eat?  

The most interesting thing I learned about this moth was her name. She was a Polyphemus Moth. I sensed something poetic. Maybe God smiled on our classical school and chuckled as He sent us a moth named after the cyclops in Homer’s Odyssey. It was like a wink from our heavenly Father. Come to think of it, I think I notice many winks from God in my line of work.  

One year, an opossum showed up on campus the day we started studying marsupials. My students had just learned about the opossum being the only marsupial we naturally have in North America. Then upon going out to recess, they witnessed one in the tree near the climbing wall!  

Earlier this year, we had just viewed a video where we learned that the Lacewing insect uses silk to hang her eggs off of branches just low enough to hide them from ants. With newly-trained eyes the students soon spotted an abundance of Lacewings on a bush. They knew that if there were adults around, there should be eggs. And there were! As if in a magical canopy, students stepped gingerly under the bush to inspect branches and leaves. They were successful in finding many egg specimens.  

Two years ago, a curious kindergartener asked me about the larva inside the acorns. The research began! I learned all about the Acorn Weevil. I had never noticed an adult one before, so I promised a couple of house points to the student who could collect one. The hunt was on! Of course, God brought us one. Now we notice them all the time! 

I realize that learning new things makes us notice the things of this world; it is apparent that God is involved as well. He is bringing us closer to Him and all the greatness he has created. And when I sense His particular style in how and when He brings the little connections and gifts that fill a day of teaching, He seems to wink with the smile of a loving Father.