Snake on the Lane

"Mom, Dad, there's a big snake on the lane!" Back in the late spring of 2004 our eldest was walking the dog when she came across a serpent  in the middle of our stone lane. It was about 36 inches long, alive but barely moving. The evening was cool but not cold, and I was surprised at the reptile's sluggishness, but I confess to knowing little to nothing about the habits of these creatures. I also wasn't sure of the variety, but we had seen a number of the same patterned snakes before and were fairly sure it was a milksnake.

Having grown up on a farm, my dad had instilled in me a respect and care for these creatures that can cause fear and trembling in some, teaching that they helped rid the farm of rodents. As long as it wasn't inside of my house, or snakes on a plane,and it wasn't poisonous, which I didn't think it was, I would be a protector rather than a "grab the shovel and chop it up person" which I would have had to ask Cliff to do, because I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to kill it. Fretting that it might be run over if it stayed where it was, much to the chagrin of my family, I donned a glove and moved it to the edge of the woods along the lane.  For the next three days it remained in this pile of dead leaves, barely moving, but it began laying eggs!  If you look closely at these photos, you may be able to see the 4-5" sections which look really dull and grayish next to the normal bright,shiny segments.  I assume this was a visual of the contractions.   (If there are any herpetologists out there, amateur or professional, that can verify and clarify my surmising, I would appreciate it.) She laid only 3 eggs which were about 1 1/2" long, rectangular with rounded edges, and leathery rather than hard-shelled. The eggs were later consumed by insects; the snake disappeared.

"Something About Snakes" is the title Brother Mick is giving his message on Sunday at 10:15am at Ridgeview as he recounts the story of the children of Israel in Numbers 21:4-9 http://bible.oremus.org/who because of their complaints and grumbling were bitten by venomous snakes.  God heard their cries, and instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole saying that if anyone bitten would gaze at the snake on a pole, he would live. This is one of those Old Testament stories that has me saying, "God did WHAT?!" John makes reference to this event in John 3:14-15:  "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life."  Are we grumblers about our lives or do we offer thanks and praise in all circumstances?

Our electives continue with the International lesson, The Heart of Mennonite Worship taught by Brother Mick, and chapters 7 The practice of living with purpose/ 8 The practice of saying no from An Altar in the World facilitated by me.  Please join us at 9am!  Attending the previous sessions of any of these classes is not necessary to be a participant this week.

I talked to Craig Stoltzfus who is back home in Minnesota last night.  Craig spent some months with his Lancaster county grandparents last fall, and he enlivened our Upper Room conversations with thoughtfulness and insights. Check out his blog and read some of them! http://cas-ementions.blogspot.com/ Craig will be seeing an oncologist today as a  mass was discovered in his abdomen.  As a toddler, Craig was treated for cancer, so there is concern of a recurrence.   Please pray for Craig as this testing is done.  I will keep you posted.  As always, I was truly blessed by my conversation with this young man.

For details of all the happenings, check out the bulletin on the website at: http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

My prayer for today:  Creator God, you bring refreshment, re-creation, and reconciliation to all the earth. Thank you.  Some of us have really tough stuff going on in our lives; open our eyes to see that you are in it with us; open our ears to hear your voice of direction to us; open our hearts to feel your care for us.  Use us, Lord, to be your loving hands and feet as we journey with others.  Grant Craig the assurance and peace of your healing presence.Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,

Carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD