Thursday, August 30, 2007

Slithering Fear

It was great reading your posted comments and emails regarding yesterday's blog. A big "THANK YOU" to those of you who shared your opinion and thoughts.

I got to see my husband do something I had never seen before. When I arrived home after the 10pm newscast the other night, I pulled my car in the garage and realized I needed to put the garbage can out on the sidewalk for the next day. I pulled it out to the road and began walking back toward the garage. My husband walked out of the door with another trash bag in his hand and stepped on a rat snake (which neither of us knew was there). He danced a gig, let me tell ya' (all while being graceful, I might add). The snake slithered into the garage closet after being stepped on. He didn't bite my husband and I'm sure was more afraid of what would happen next. I immediately ordered my husband to "kill it!". (Now I'm from the country. We didn't just carry hoes in our hands to chop cotton in the field; we carried hoes to chop at the snakes we came across along the way. I'm sure they have a function in this world, but I've never met a snake I liked. The only good snake is a dead snake, in my opinion--no matter the size or the breed!) My husband grabbed a garden tool and went into the closet. After some banging and clanging, he emerged victorious with the snake wrapped around the tool. He said, "It's just a rat snake." I quickly answered, "Well, we don't have any rats around here so we don't need him!"

Fear is a weapon Satan will use to grip us and control us. Whether its the fear of starting a new job, being rejected by someone or worry over our health, fear can invade us. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given me a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline." Luke 12:32 says, "I will not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, for it is my Father's good pleasure to give me the kingdom!" The Bible makes is very clear that fear is not from God. So whether its a snake in your garage or a new challenge, God's hand is always on us.

3 comments:

Tommy, Suzanne, and Mary Peyton said...

oh my gosh. i would have died. and tommy would have had a heart attack on the scene had he been the one stepping on a snake!!!! wow....i don't even know what else to say as i sit here getting the "shivers" every time i think about it!

but i do understand about why we carry hoes. a few years ago, we were in minter city and a snake fell out of a tree. my dad gave tommy a hoe to go kill it with. well, let me go ahead and say that my "city boy" husband wasn't exactly the best at this job. he didn't understand that you don't SWING at it, you CHOP it. it looked like he had a bat trying to hit a ball! so daddy took over and the snake was killed, but it make for quite the action on our farm that sunday afternoon!!!

EttaPearl said...

Hi Barbie,

I share your feeling about snakes. A hoe is the best weapon.

This is personl news....I don't know how else to get it to you.

My husband and I and much of my Alabama family had a wonderful time at the 50th Wedding Anniversary Party for Royce, Jr. and Sandra Cobb. I visited with your Mom and Dad and your Mom told me how to get in touch with you. I am part of the Alabama Cobb's, the daughter of Isabelle Cobb Chapman.

I just think you do such a gracious weather report. I see you almost every day. You make the weather fun for me.

I just wanted you to know you distant relatives in Pearl, Ms.

EttaPearl

Barbie Bassett said...

Good to hear from you, Etta Pearl. I'm sure my parents had a wonderful time visiting with you. Glad to have you checking in!