Spiders are plentiful where I live. Even so people being skittish about them is also common.
This morning I went on an amazing trip – in my head. Despite all the efforts I put into housekeeping, spraying all spring, summer and fall, laying bait, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, another spider had violated my space.
In a heartbeat I was fussing, fuming, and then begging God to help me endure these seemingly ridiculous hardships.
I stormed out of the kitchen, deeply upset – over a spider watching me quietly from the stove top. Imagine the brass! Who (but another spider) could blame me for being unnerved by such a bold creature despite its small stature!
At one point I realized I’d too long entertained the idea of housebreaking Silly Suzy so she could live in the house with me and feast on the fiendish foes that have plagued me these two whole days.
About then I heard God’s Still, Quiet Voice say, “Snap out of it!” You see, God knows with that particular phrase I almost always laugh, envisioning Cher slapping Nicolas Cage:
And it almost worked for me – but I was close to complete melt down. Yeah. Over an itsy-bitsy spider.
Returning to the kitchen for my well-cooled mug, I noticed the spider exactly as it was some time earlier. I mean precisely there.
I am ashamed to admit my first thought upon seeing it hadn’t moved at all, was, “Great, now I have to dispose of the body…” This involves gloves, hand sanitizer, etc…
But before my brain formed the sentence, the Holy Spirit Spoke again,
“Just what is your problem?”
Like He doesn’t know. With that I stopped – everything but breathing.
Fast forward through a crying fit and more bad drama than I want to admit – you’re welcome. Once done I realized that I’ve been so preoccupied with my task list, skipping some rest here, dropping my prayer and devotional time there…
Seriously, I am getting ready for Christmas, for crying out loud! But sadly my fellowship and quiet time with Jesus, the Birthday Boy took the hit. Yet again.
I realized I hadn’t really slept well in days and that I’ve burned the midnight oil till just before dawn more nights than not.
Soon I’d washed my face and initiated some impressive groveling before God. That didn’t go far. Instead, grace and mercy swept me away.
Later, during my walk I marveled that as cold as it’s been it hadn’t snowed. Before I could finish thinking, “it hardly feels like Northwest Christmas,” I noticed flakes beginning to fall.
I turned my head to heaven, arms open, saying loudly, “Thank You God! Merry Christmas!”
And about that spider. ‘Turns out it was actually some chamomile & lavender tea inadvertently dropped the night before.
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:4 (NLT)
What Next: Behind Roo's Ruse 