Be on Guard

When spring arrives on the farm, so do snakes. At first, two snakes (a bull snake and a rattlesnake) made their appearance on our premises. Showing no remorse when the opportunity presented itself, I drove my car over the bull snake until it had died. Then, as if it were making paybacks, several weeks later two more bull snakes lay sunning themselves in the cool grass in front of our dining room window.  When my husband, Larry, went out to check on them, they quickly slithered out of sight.  Despite their disappearance, I remained cautious every time I left the house until…a few distractions caught me off-guard.

               Late one morning I was tending my two flower pots in our back yard when I noticed a small space in the so-called foundation of our house.  Foundation?? That’s a chuckle because our house, over 100 years old, doesn’t have much of a foundation.  In fact, only by God’s protective arms it remains upright. (possible blog piece) J Anyway, when I spotted this space, I took action. I remembered seeing some bricks lying in an area that once contained a vegetable garden. Larry had just mowed this section so the walk was free of weeds and tall grass. When I neared the site, I spotted a brick immediately and picked it up. Just as I started back to the house, I saw Larry’s pickup pull into our parking lot and at the same time I felt a rubbery, wiggly sensation coming from the bottom of my tennis shoe.  Glancing down, I jumped several inches to the side as I had stepped on a thin, grey/blue snake.  I’m not sure which of us was frightened the most, but I didn’t wait around to see where that “dude” went.  By the time I ran to the house, I was breathless and my heart had to be racing as fast as American Pharaoh!  Whew!!

               As I reviewed this experience, there are many incidents in life which catch us off-guard, especially when things seem to be going smoothly. These unexpected distractions can cause panic, create fear, and leave us with a sense of hopelessness. But that’s just how the ole devil works.  That’s why Peter in his first letter warned us about the devil. “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.  But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord’s followers are suffering just as you are. But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That’s why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong and firm.  God will be in control forever! Amen.” 1 Peter 5: 8 – 11 (Contemporary English Version)

               After that unexpected “snake” encounter, even though it’s a daily challenge, I am trying to be more aware of my surroundings as I venture outside.  However, a more important lesson that I’ve learned through this confrontation is the fact that I must not lose myself in fear but to rely upon God and trust Him through each and every distraction in life, whether it be natural, physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual. This, too, is a daily challenge.

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3