He had a funny look on his face.
I knew something was up.
As he led me down the hall to our room, he prefaced the bomb with, “Now don’t worry, I’ll get it out…”
And then I began to feel the creepy fingers of anxiety crawl up my skin as he said…
“There’s a lizard under our bed!”
I didn’t mind it in Rwanda,
There was something that seemed natural about a small green lizard climbing up the wall in our living area. And it wasn’t crawling around where I was sleeping under the the mosquito netting, at least I didn’t think so…
But stateside it just seemed wrong!
The Preacher saw it run under the bed but couldn’t get it out.
So when I got home he gave me the bad news and a choice:
We try to flush it out,
Or put down the sticky mouse paper with cracker crumbs scattered across it.
Of course Mr. Google says they like crackers…who knew?
After a half a second of thought,
I decided I’d rather not try to sleep over a slinky, scaly reptile who might or might not decide he wanted a snack of crackers later that night.
So he handed me the broom since I figured there’d be less of a chance of it running toward me if I had a weapon. I can handle a lizard out in my garden but one darting across my bare foot would probably send me though the roof!
Tense with anticipation, He stood on the other side of the bed with a towel to throw over it. (Another trick from our friend Mr. Google). I proceeded to thrust the broom, and bang on the boxes and paintings stored beneath the be–making all kinds of racket!
But no lizard.
He’s either very brave, unperturbed by all the din, or already moved on.
So out came the sticky paper and crackers after all.
But this morning no lizard. So I guess I get to live in fear of him jumping out at me daily.
Do you know how unsettling that is…? This evening I walked by my bed and there was an abandoned flashlight shining under my bed—forgotten by my husband? Or a new trick from Mr Google?
Sin is like the lizard. Hiding in darkness, unexpected and sneaky; jumping out at inopportune times and rearing its ugly head when least expected.
When I’m on guard, I dodge and duck those green claws.
But it is when I’m complacent, and relaxed, and not in his word, I forget about the spiritual battle around me,
And I soon stumble, and then I fall. Bruised knees are my norm.
I know that we live in a fallen world fraught with sin and evil, but I hear his whispers as I read and pray,
“Trust me,
Hold on to me,
The road may be long and arduous,
With lizards and leeches and lions laying low,
And the skies gray and burdened…
But I will help you navigate this dark world
And I will ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be at your side.” God
And we never found the lizard!
*****************
Proverbs 1:32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them: but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
-Write this scripture on a notecard and add it to others on your bathroom mirror.
-Read it regularly to help you get through those dark days.