Dogs, Snakes, & People, Oh My!

We've seen a lot of them this year. According to reports, warmer than normal winter temperatures and an increase in the number of rodents have led to an explosion in the snake population. Unfortunately, my husband, Steve, and I can attest to the fact. The snakes we're seeing? Copperheads.

Don't get me wrong, I have a healthy respect for the role snakes play in the environment - the copperhead eats small rodents, birds, lizards, other snakes, amphibians, and insects. The problem? When it comes to our dogs, up close and personal is a bit too, well, up close and personal!


Our Golden Retriever, Precious, had to learn the hard way that not all animals want to be her friend. As Steve and I headed out to walk our dogs, we could tell something was wrong with Precious. Although her tail wagged furiously as she came out of her doghouse, she didn't look right. Her slim retriever face had been replaced by that of a Shar Pei. With neck and face swollen twice their normal size, we loaded her into our SUV and headed for the vet.


Two tell-tale punctures above her lip, dotted with blood, spoke volumes. She had been bitten by a copperhead - the venom  causing the distortions to face and neck. A shot of steroids helped to bring the swelling down. Armed with antihistamine and antibiotics, the vet assured us that she would look like our familiar Golden within 48 hours. What a relief!


But we still had a problem. A snake problem. Where had the copperhead come from? And if there was one, there were probably more. Not a comforting thought.


We began the eradication process. Steve mowed over the ivy that had slowly begun creeping across Precious' area, and cleaned up the tree debris that doubled as a potential snake hideout. We were feeling much better already. But our relief was short-lived.


Over the next six weeks, Steve and I killed three copperheads  - each one within a stones' throw of our dogs. Unlike what I had read about these snakes, these copperheads seemed to be extremely bold. Instead of staying hidden during the day and relying on camouflage for safety, these slithering creatures were in plain sight on our walking path.


Obviously we needed to dedicate more time to yard clean-up. Woodpiles, leaf debris, and branches would all have to go. One step at a time.


What an important lesson for me. Without realizing it, I often leave myself vulnerable to the enemy. I allow sin to go unconfessed in my life - and pretty soon I've got piles of debris in my heart that become a breeding ground for more sin. If I refuse to begin the eradication process, the bite of sin will inject its venom - marring my testimony as a follower of Christ. The consequences are devastating - a broken relationship with the Lord, and the potential to cause others to stumble.


No one wrote more poignantly about the consequences of sin than King David. He accurately described the affect of concealing, then confessing his sin, "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah," (Psalms 32:3-5; KJV).


Confession of sin invites forgiveness from the Lord. A clean heart re-institutes intimate fellowship with our Savior. What could be better?!


Do you have some internal housekeeping to do? Are there any piles of debris in your heart that need to be removed? What step will you take today to rid yourself of sin?


Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the lessons I can learn from Your creation. Help me to willingly eradicate sin from my life, so I can have a right relationship with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.



*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

Pure Trust

It began like any other walk. The route was the same. The evening temperature refreshingly cool.

As I walked my dog, Precious, I noticed a yard that was occupied by two medium-sized, fairly muscular, black, dogs. They barked a stern warning. We rounded the top of the hill when I noticed it. Instead of responding by barking, Precious continued to focus on me, a look of inquiry on her face.

Her eyes never left my face as we continued past the house, black dogs barking all the while. No lunging, no display of aggression, and no barking. Just the upward tilt of her face, searching mine for a clue as to what she should do...

Trust. Pure and simple. Precious trusted me. She knew I would keep her safe. What a response!

Our lives are filled with challenges. How do we respond? It's easy to give in to our flesh and do what comes naturally - retaliate. After all, don't we have 'rights'? Or do we die to self, turn our faces upward, and seek the face of our Master? Trusting Him. Confident in knowing that He will give us the guidance we need to face whatever situation threatens us.

Choose His way. Tilt your face up to your Heavenly Father, who promises to give wisdom to all those who ask. Respond in faith, knowing He is trustworthy!

Prayer: Thank you, Father, that You can be trusted. Help me choose Your way when I'm faced with life's challenges. Amen.   

  

Is There a Difference?

Green space. Our dogs love it. It's the term we use for the wide open area of lawn in front of our house, that borders our pond. When we take the dogs into this part of the yard, they're in for a treat. No need to worry about invisible fences. Plenty of grass to roll in. Lots of sticks to gnaw on. And they know we'll play with them and shower them with affection. A virtual paradise.

Yesterday, the puppies lackluster expressions became enthusiastic as I removed their collars and let them run down to the green space. With tails wagging and legs flying, they were beside themselves trying to decide what to do first. A dip in the pond? A roll in the grass? A run around the yard?

Both dogs wanted to interact with me. Precious leaned against me to be cuddled, while Joe brought me his tennis ball knowing I couldn't resist a game of fetch. Within a few minutes, their adorable faces literally beamed their thanks. If you've ever owned a dog, you know the look. It appears like a big grin - stretching from ear to ear. It wasn't hard to tell they were content and very happy!

What a wonderful picture! When I choose to spend time with my Heavenly Father, my countenance also changes. I'm reminded of the story of Moses. Remember when he went up Mount Sinai the second time to receive the ten commandments? Take a look at what happened as a result of spending time with the very God of the universe, "And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him," (Exodus 34:29; KJV).

Aaron and all the children of Israel immediately noticed that something was different about Moses. His face literally glowed! Moses was unaware of it, but time spent in the presence of a holy God had transformed his appearance. And everyone saw it.

Spending time with God has transforming power. My face doesn't literally glow, but others should be able to tell there's something different about me. My actions will reflect the heart of my Father. My life will be characterized by selfless behavior, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality," (Romans 12:10-13).

Just like Moses, I have an opportunity to spend time with the Lord and allow Him to make a difference in my life. My attitude can shift from the daily grind, to an eternal perspective that brings true contentment. As I stay in His presence, He gives me the power to overcome self and reach out to others in a way that will point back to Him. They'll notice a difference and be drawn to the Savior.

You have the same opportunity. Are you willing to shut everything else out and spend time with the Lord? Enough time so others will notice a change in you and be pointed to Him?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your transforming power. Help me to spend time in Your presence that I'd truly be changed. Not so I'd be noticed, but that I could affectively point others to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.