Blog

Well, we had some excitement this morning! Tim and I were returning home from our morning walk and as we turned into our driveway, I noticed something in the front yard. It appeared to be a log or large branch with moss. I headed toward it because I like to keep my yard as picked up as possible. Tim was following and suddenly he cried, “Bebe, stop! It’s an alligator!”

I stopped and began to back up. It was lying down with its tail curved around it, but when I looked down, I could see that it was indeed an alligator, with his eye fixed on me. Tim asked me to go in the house and call for animal control. They were not open yet, so I called 911. I told them what had transpired and that I didn’t know who I was supposed to call. They said they would contact the authorities and have someone come out but that I needed to also call Texas Parks and Wildlife. Did that.

This took quite a bit of time and the alligator proceeded to cross our yard, walk down the ditch and across the road, and traverse an open area across the street. He was huge! I thought he was about 4-5 feet long, but when he stood up and walked, we could see that he was at least 6 feet long.

The deputy sheriff arrived right after the alligator had crossed the road. It kept lying down after taking a few steps. (We learned later that when they see people they will lie down. I guess they are hiding.) When the officer spotted him, the alligator stood up and she exclaimed, “…it’s big! I thought it was going to be a smaller alligator. I can’t do anything about one that big, but I’ll call another officer who is equipped to handle an alligator that size.” 

We watched as the alligator made his way across the lot, over the berm, and disappeared. The other officer arrived and they both went to find it. The other officer came back and stated, “That was a fully grown female alligator.” It had gotten into some trees and overgrowth in a swampy area and they were not able to go in after it. So, I correct my statements to reflect “she” instead of “he.” No, I don’t know how he knew it was a female. Doesn’t matter; “she” was big.

Ok. Why am I telling this? Sure, it was a new adventure, but that’s not my story. I want us to reflect on one of the lessons we can learn. To me, stories in our lives are always about experience, and lessons we can learn from those experiences.

I asked the Lord to reveal the take-away. Then I realized it was about reaction versus response. I had immediately reacted to walk toward what I thought was a mossy covered log. I had already determined what it was and what I was going to do about it. I was going to pick it up (or have Tim pick it up) and put it on the burn pile so we could dispose of it. I wanted a clean yard!

I didn’t examine it any further or ask any questions or get another opinion. I just decided and started walking in that direction. Fortunately, I had someone close by who did look more closely and was able to warn me before I got too close and risked injury. My intention was not wrong; I wanted a clean yard. My effort was sincere and earnest. I was going to do what I could to take care of the situation. I didn’t hesitate; I responded with heart-felt emotion, good will, and determination. Nothing wrong with any of that. But I was blinded by what I thought to be true.

So many opinions about so many varying events have been thrown at us in the past several months. We are spinning! Some have retreated and decided to wait it out. Some are jumping out there with good intentions and just “doing” whatever people say they should be doing. Some are reacting with hate and violence. Some are angry about the lockdown and others are embracing the lockdown. Some are praying for God to intervene. Some are trying to get the facts, but that’s quite a feat in this social media driven and politically biased era.

So, what are we to do? Yes, pray. Of course, pray! But we also need to know what God says about every situation we face. Search the scripture. Read the red-letter words of Jesus. Look at His character. Does our response reflect Him? Yes, we need to search our own hearts, but we also need to know what is behind, whatever it is we are following. Less social input and more divine revelation. More “quick to hear and slow to speak.”

Get into the Word. Some say, “It’s such a big book; I don’t know where to start.” Others may say, “I just listen to good sermons.” Some may even say, “I don’t have the time or the ability to understand.” There are many excuses. But the Word tells us, 2 Timothy 2:15 TLB, “Know what his Word says and means.” Psalm 119:105 ESV states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” He will help you understand the scriptures, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,” Matthew 7:7 ESV. Bottom line, Psalm 119:11 ESV admonishes us to put the Word of God into our hearts, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”  In Proverbs, we learn that His Words are life to those who find them.

Stop. . . step back . . . and listen. Not to the clamoring crowd but to the truth, whether through the written word or the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. Then, do what He instructs you to do, in love and with humility and thanksgiving.

And watch out for alligators!   In His care, Bebe