Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Rattled (05/09/13)
-
TITLE: In the Woods | Previous Challenge Entry
By
05/10/13 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I grew up in the South; North Carolina to be a little more exact. One thing a person can count on when living in the southern part of the United States is this: from time to time you will encounter a creepy crawly thing!
My family resided on a forty-acre lot. There were lots of trees, "the woods" we called them. My brothers and I spent a lot of time playing in those woods. I am sure, as young kids, that we were quite oblivious to those creepy crawly things in our midst because playing was our most important task.
One play date, though, sticks out in my mind. My brother and I had been playing a game of "house" in the woods. At lunchtime, our mother called for us to come in. We walked on a well-worn path as we made our way to the house. All of a sudden, brother David was no longer standing by me, because he had flown on foot to the back porch screaming, "Mama! There's a snake in the woods!" Sure enough, I looked to my left and there, slithering beside me, was a copperhead snake. I was RATTLED! I was so rattled that I ran into my house and sat on our living room couch, shaking and refusing to touch the floor with my feet!
I was absolutely convinced that the slithering copperhead had followed me into my house. At once, my peaceful play-life was now shattered with thoughts that I would be forever plagued by that creepy crawly thing!
It took a week or so for me to forgo my fears of being in the woods.. or on any other ground for that matter. with time, I was able to resume playtime in the woods.
When I look back on that experience, a few emotions STILL arise: I can still feel the angst that I had toward my brother for not informing ME about or woodsy companion. I also still feel the fear that welled up inside of my little girl's heart at the thought of being terrorized by the snake. To say that I was rattled, is an understatement! But I also can remember that overwhelming sense of relief knowing that I could run to my home and into my mother's loving arms and feel totally safe.
King David had moments of being completely terrorized by his enemies. He was even on the run, at one time, from his power-hungry son. David was prone to feeling rattled. But he also knew where his safety could be secured. When he felt the presence of the "copperhead in the woods" He ran into the presence of His God: "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." (Psalm 61:1-3)
Even though I was a child, I learned a lot about God that day. My shelter, my strength.. the Great Un-rattler.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Just a tip--make sure to hit an extra enter/return key in the submission box, so that there is extra spacing between your paragraphs. It makes the article easier to read.
Good tie in with the verse at the end, it feels almost like a devotional, without being preachy, which is really the best kind. Wonderful job! Thanks for sharing! :)