Kids & Parenting

The Squirt Gun, Magnifying Glass and the Ants

by Brother Carlton 
12/14/24
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As a little boy, I loved spending time in the backyard of my great-grandmother Lois's house, where adventures seemed to spring up at every turn. The yard was my kingdom, and with a squirt gun in hand, I was the mighty ruler of all I surveyed. On any given afternoon, you'd find me crouched low to the ground, waging war on the tiny ants that marched in neat little lines along the dirt paths. They moved with such purpose, as if they had some grand mission only they understood.

At first, my weapon of choice was harmless: a squirt gun filled with cool water. I aimed and fired, watching the stream break their ranks and scatter them in every direction. It was all innocent fun, the kind of play that makes childhood magical. But one day, I discovered a new tool—a magnifying glass. It was one of those small, round ones with a black handle, something you might find tucked away in an old drawer. I didn’t know much about it, except that it could make things look bigger. I held it up to the sun and happened to notice a tiny beam of light focusing on the ground. Curious, I aimed it at a cluster of ants.

What happened next was astonishing. That tiny beam of sunlight, concentrated through the lens, turned into a scorching heat that could burn anything in its path. The ants didn’t stand a chance. It wasn’t long before I realized the power I now held in my hands. This wasn’t like the squirt gun, which merely disrupted their march. The magnifying glass could inflict real damage.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but looking back, that experience taught me some important lessons.

1. Power Requires Responsibility

The magnifying glass was just a simple tool, but in the hands of a child, it became a source of destruction. The same can be said for any kind of power—whether it’s knowledge, influence, or physical strength. What you do with power matters. It can be used to help or to harm, to build or to destroy. Even as a young boy, I learned that just because I could do something didn’t mean I should.

2. Small Things Matter

When you’re little, it’s easy to overlook the small things in life—like ants. They seemed so insignificant, yet they were part of a larger ecosystem, diligently working together for a purpose I couldn’t fully understand. How often do we, as adults, dismiss the small things in our own lives? The small habits, the small acts of kindness, the small steps forward—all of these matter more than we realize. And just as those ants had a role to play, so do we, even when our contributions feel tiny in the grand scheme of things.

3. Curiosity Fuels Discovery

That day in the backyard taught me how much fun it is to learn and explore. A squirt gun and a magnifying glass weren’t just toys—they were tools that sparked my imagination and taught me about the world. Curiosity is one of the greatest gifts we can nurture, no matter our age. It’s what leads us to discover new ideas, solve problems, and grow in wisdom.

4. Beware of Misusing Your Talents

The magnifying glass is a metaphor for power and strength.  It symbolizes focus and intensity because it can concentrate sunlight to create fire.  Any talent or resource we have in life can be used for good or for evil. In the hands of an adventurous little boy improperly taught it can be a weapon of destruction or a tool for magnifying objects too small to see clearly without help.

The scripture in Proverbs 6:6-8 says: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise! Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

Reflecting on this verse, it's fascinatin how it speaks to diligence, preparation, and wisdom.  If this principle had been instilled in me early on, it might have shifted my perspective on those ants. Instead of seeing them as pests, I could have admired their determination and hard work.

It’s easy to misuse what we’ve been given, especially when we don’t fully understand its impact. That day, I didn’t realize that my actions were more destructive than playful. Similarly, when we misuse our skills or gifts, we can cause unintended harm to others or even to ourselves. It’s a reminder to be mindful of how we use what God has entrusted to us.

Looking back, I can’t help but smile at the image of that little boy in the backyard—carefree, curious, and maybe just a little mischievous. But I’m also grateful for the lessons hidden in that moment, lessons that remind me of the importance of humility, responsibility, and the wisdom to use what I’ve been given for good.

Sometimes, what we attempt to destroy or dismiss can actually hold lessons that guide us toward wisdom and productivity.  It's a poignant thought that ties my small amounts of childhood memories to larger life lessons about preparation and persistence.

My mother also said: "Son you're so persistent or determined."  I suppose I was and still am.

So, the next time you’re holding a "magnifying glass" in life—a talent, a skill, or a position of influence—ask yourself: Am I using this to build others up or to tear them down? The choice is yours. Use it wisely.

Brother Carlton ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member) and property cleanup expert, he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns, and poems, and doing street preaching. See all his videos on YouTube Brother Carlton.