in the bag

The other day I was alone in the house working quietly on the computer in the back room. Suddenly I heard a rustling sound in the back corner. There were two plastic bags on the floor with some car-related items inside. What could be rustling in there? Maybe a cockroach. I decided not to worry about it and went back to my work.

But not for long. Soon there was more rustling. I looked back to see the bags moving. Definitely NOT cockroach-sized moves. These bags were wiggling. Oh no. My first thought was that it was a rat. The only one we've seen (inside our gates) was a dead one on our doorstep; a gift from a neighborhood cat. I really didn't want to meet one here in the house. After all it's OUR house.

My next thought was that it might be a snake. Though I haven't yet seen a live one here, we have friends who've found many of them in and around their house. Ugh. I wasn't excited to meet one of those, either. Where is Mark when I need him?

Next thing I knew, whatever it was came leaping out of the bag toward me. I'm not a screamer, but I screamed - and ran. But just for a moment. When I turned back around to look, there he sat.

A toad.

My relief was huge. Of all creatures, a toad is just about the least threatening.

How many times in this life do I fear what 'might be' instead of confronting what is? And how many times do I allow myself to imagine worst-case scenarios; worrying about rats when there are only harmless toads?

C.S. Lewis sums it up:

"We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."
Could that be faith?
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
And oh for courage to deal with a rat should that be part of His loving plan for me!

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." Psalm 13:5