Do you get the feeling that something bad is about to happen so you are on hyper alert even though you arent sure exactly what it is? It happened to me yesterday. For sure. I took my family for a Saturday noon lunch -- we chose Sals pizzeria. I was about to turn into Sals but I missed my turn, so I went to the next turn-in which was the adjacent parking lot for a dress shop. I knew right then I was supposed to go back to the Sals turn in. I begin to turn around but Leigh told me to just park there because it would only be another 30 feet to walk. I couldnt argue with her because she was right -- plus she will beat me with her purse if I get overly disagreeable. Besides, I didnt want to tell her I thought something bad was going to happen -- she would just think I was crazy. I went to talk to Sal while she went to seat herself and the boys. I got back to the table and was a little frustrated because she knows I dont like to NOT have a clear view to see anything that could be a threat to my family. I want to see the door -- my dad was the same way. I know, were crazy. I remember thinking that this was going to be bad but I didnt say anything because I didnt want to scare Leigh. We ate and paid ... no problems. I was wrong ... there was no threat to my family. But, I held the babys hand anyway on the way to my truck. Was he going to dart out towards traffic? That could be the only thing left to worry about. I secretly prayed for God to watch over my family. I also held his hand as God would expect me to hold it. Tight. So, we turned towards the truck down a little path with some really deep and thick bushes that were one foot tall from the ground to the top. You would never find a golf ball in there. And then it happened. Robert had gotten out in front of us which is unusual because I always take point (In the Marines its out front). Please dont think Im crazy -- men are hard wired protectors. Its a battle for American men because women dont want to look or feel inferior like Japanese women by walking behind her man. Has political correctness interfered with our right and duty to protect? Thats another post for another day. Anyhow ... A snake came out of one side of the bushes and crawled just behind Roberts feet! I stopped so Leigh and the baby stopped, too. I immediately demanded that everyone stop right then; no one else had seen the snake. I commanded forcefully for Robert to move immediately to his left. Why, Daddy? While time was frozen, my kid was killing me with: Why. Daddy? First, I wanted God to freeze time so I could put on a drill instructor smokie and go around all of my frozen family and chew them out for not doing what I say when Im trying to protect them, but of course, thats only on TV. I knew I couldnt approach Robert because it would agitate the snake; besides, I was too far from the snake and it had frozen right next to Robert -- I guess it wanted to see if I would chew them out too. Time continued to stand still and in those few seconds I knew that I was really not in control. It made me realize how small I really am in this life; moreover, It made me realize that there are going to be bad things that happen to my family -- and although I can sense it -- Im not going to be able to stop it. Like everything else, its all in Gods will. I think God loves preparedness, but hes going to have his way with his plan -- like it or not. What about the snake? Would you believe that no one saw it even as it slid peacefully into those bushes to look for golf balls? Although it wasnt poisonous, I certainly didnt need it terrorizing my autistic childs future -- hes fearful enough in his perception of this world. A snake bite would have meant the autistic meltdown of the century for he and his brother, who is also autistic. But it didnt happen because it wasnt part of Gods plan. Where I park my truck and where I sit is just me trying to be in control ... Im just a small man in Gods big world. Im not in control and neither are you. All you can do is the best that you can do in all that you do ... worrying shouldnt be a part of that to do list. Ever. I think Ill walk behind my family on the way into church this morning and wink at God as I sit up front with no clear view to the door as a gesture of my surrender to HIM. Now, if a snake comes crawling thru my pew then all bets are off -- Im throwing the good book at it ... I hate snakes! Have a great Sunday, friends, and dont forget to surrender.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 13:18:26 +0000