Posted by Spriggy on June 15, 2005, at 21:00:16
This was the first thing I ever had published (in MOPs magazine).
It's a few years old but thought I'd share it here. It does speak on my faith so I placed it in this forum instead of writing.
Snakes and Worms
Today was one of "them days." If you're a mother of two rowdy boys' than you know exactly what I mean. Actually if you’re just a mother at all then you know what I mean.
It was only noon and I had already broken up THREE fights, cleaned up poop twice (yes twice), wiped up spilled cereal, and explained ten times to a 3 year old why he couldn't invite the entire church to his upcoming birthday.
I had convinced Jacob (my soon to be 4 year old) to go outside and play in the nice weather. He took along a few friends (Larry Boy, Spiderman, and Hulk, of course). I FINALLY was able to put some clothes in the washer and start folding ones that had been in the dryer a day or two (okay, or three). As I'm folding all the endless socks and underwear, I hear Jacob screaming from outside. I had the back door opened up already so I just stuck my head outside and said, " What is the problem?" He explained to me that there was a “big worm” trying to get his toys and that he needed help. I did what any loving mother would do and said, "So step on the big worm, you have shoes on!" I returned to the socks and underwear assuming everything would be okay.
Jacob starts screaming again! He just goes on and on about the worm until I can no longer ignore his cries for help. I throw the laundry into the basket, put on my flip-flops and walk out to the backyard. I was going to put an end to this stupid worm and quite possibly my screaming son too! There he stood terrified beside our apple tree clinging to all of his toys for dear life.
I looked at my son and in my " taking care of business mommy voice" I said, "where's the worm?" He points to the worm and to my dismay the worm turned out to be a SNAKE! My son runs screaming over to the deck, I run right behind him screaming too, and the snake crawls underneath the porch. My husband (who had just pulled up in his car for lunch) comes over to see what all the commotion is about. Josh, being the macho man that he is, wants to see the snake for himself. The snake made its' way under our deck and I made my way into my home carrying my son safely in my arms!
I then explained to Jacob that when a worm is about ten inches long and has a long tongue, it's no longer considered a worm; it's considered a snake. I also humbled myself (ouch) and apologized for not coming to him when he asked for my help the first time.
Later on I was thinking about all that happened today (and also thinking that somewhere under my house a snake lye in waiting). I had to thank the Lord that He's not the kind of parent that I am at times. To be totally honest, I was tired today, I was plain worn out, and suffering from PMS (did you already figure that out?). When my son asked for my help I was a little too busy and a little too cranky to come to his rescue. He had to cry out for me until I could no longer ignore him (or until the neighbors would call 9-1-1).
Thankfully our Heavenly Father doesn't get overwhelmed with all the fights He has to intervene in for us, or all the messes He has to clean up, or all the cries for help He has to answer. I am confident that each time I cry out to Him, He not only hears me but He's already got a plan to get me through it (or out of it). All those little "worms" (or those big snakes) in my life may not always be chased away by my Father but I can rest assure that He will carry me in His arms until I'm safely "home."
poster:Spriggy
thread:513386
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20050510/msgs/513386.html