Houston, We Have A Problem… A Problem… A Problem… A B.I.G. Problem … … …

MORNINGS. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the morning daylight hours are truly becoming one of my favorite times of day. I love sitting in my rocking chair … Bible, journal and devo in my lap with pens and colorful highlighters in hand. 

I love having the sliding door open to enjoy the fragrance of freshly mowed grass… mixed with the delicious smells of potted jasmine.

I enjoy watching and hearing the birds chirping and squabbling for their turn at the bird feeder.

I’ve even come to enjoy the playful antics of  “The Squirrel Twins”… along with their parents.

*FYI – the “Twirl-a-Squirrel” – yes, there IS such a thing! - eliminated my morning angst -  as those furry, creative critters would spend MY precious minutes jumping from tree to feeder.  THEIR GOAL... to consume as much bird seed as quickly as possible before I start banging on the sliding door.

Ah yes - Mornings. Sweet.  Peaceful. Beautiful. Quiet mornings. 

So, with a firm grasp of control over mother-nature once again … my morning “quiet-time” blissfully continued -  uninterrupted.  That is until a strange movement  ON the tree caught my eye. A bird? One of the “twins?”  As my eyes came into sharper focus (remember it’s morning!) … my once tranquil setting was filled with Disbelief - Shock and Horror! What I saw was a beady eyed, ropy tailed R.A.T. … sitting motionless … staring right at me… taunting me with his fat little self. I was NOT amused!  As quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. Address – unknown. Unknown, that is, until I saw him a bit later poking his head out of a freshly chewed hole at the base of the spa.   

THAT DOES IT!  No beady eyed, lice infested R.A.T. (not positive on the lice part – but it sounds good!) was going to set up housekeeping in MY spa in MY back yard!  No way! No how!  A trip to the hardware store and the rodent elimination isle quickly commenced.     

I was STUNNED at the variety of traps on the shelves. You’ve got the:

• “Catch and RELEASE” trap (what’s the point with THAT trap???)
• The  “Sticky Tape” trap (sounds awful!)
• $40.00-$99.00 for the “ELECTRIC Rat-Zapper”  (I am NOT paying that amount of money to electrocute a rodent!)
•  The  “Ultra Sonic Rodent Repeller”
• …and my personal favorite –  “Tomcat 33545 Spin Trap!”  I was tempted… really tempted… as I reflected on how effective the “TWIRL-A-SQUIRELL” gizmo was!

However, I snapped back to reality and purchased the  sleek, black  “Tomcat Snap Rat Trap.”  

S-w-e-e-t!

The trap was carefully set. The waiting began. Time. Patience. Persistence.  Good things come to those who wait – RIGHT? A couple of days passed. Nothing. Nadda. Zilch. But finally …shhhh….  here he comes… dancing and prancing around the trap like a ballerina.  Taunting. Tormenting and Teasing me. Ahh…. but not for long.  I won’t give you the final details… but let me just say – he’s resting comfortably. And all was right with the world once again.

Another morning.  Another “sighting” but I GASPED as I saw not one, but  TWO little baby  r.a.t.s.  SITTING ON THE SET-TRAP … merrily eating the peanut butter and bird-seed appetizer.  Their combined weight was not enough to set the trap into SNAPPING action.  Mercy me!  NOW WHAT?

A quick trip BACK to the Hardware store – returning with two black, sleek “Tomcat Snap Mouse Traps.” I felt like Clint Eastwood as I set those traps – saying …       

“Go ahead! Make My Day!”

Well, time has past – and 7, yes  SEVEN  R.A.T.S. of assorted ages have “successfully” encountered the “Tomcat.” And are “resting peacefully” thank you very much!  However, I’m keeping my traps set … and my eyes open!

All of this  “stalking” a  R.A.T. drama -  has caused me to think…

• Am I this vigilant and aware of what’s going on in my daily spiritual life?  

The devil is a sneaky foe.  He can be lurking about, unknown… undetected… but his presence can wreck havoc. He is, after all, on a search and destroy mission. And I’m  his target!

• Am I taking the immediate, important and necessary precautions to keep the enemy away? 

It’s not enough to “know” that there’s an enemy… I need to prepare FOR the enemy, “lest I fall…”  He is, after-all,” looking too and fro to see who he can devour.”

• Am I asking and allowing God to keep watch over me…  Keeping ME alert and on guard in my day to day living? 

God wants to help … Will I let Him?  Will you? 

 ^“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”   I Peter 5:8-11 (Message)