On available Saturday mornings we like to take the dogs for a long walk. It is their favorite thing and it is good for us. We think of it as an investment in all of our health. I read the studies that tell me that regular moderate walking is a key to longevity. I don’t have a step counter, but have been around lots of people who do, and they encourage me to keep moving.
In the summer we try to get up early to beat the worst part of the heat, but it is hard to get up early enough. We take water for the dogs and try to keep in the shade whenever possible. By the time we are finished, we are all usually panting and ready for air-conditioning.
Last Saturday, the morning started fairly cool as the sun was hidden behind clouds. It felt like summer was not going to kill us after all. We started our long circumnavigation of the Cain Center. The whole journey is about 1.7 miles. We go up and down and all around. About halfway through the journey, the brutal sun began to cook us. The helpful clouds fled and left us on the hot anvil. The problem with being halfway home is that there is no shortcut. There, however, was a route that we rarely take that hugs the southern edge of the ball fields. In that narrow band, some tall trees provide some shade. It's like walking at the bottom of a slot canyon.
One of the reasons we don’t normally go that way is the ticks. One of our dogs always manages to get ticks when we are in that area. We decided to keep an eye on him and risk it. It's about 1000 feet. At the end of the big field is a bridge and then lots of trees and shade. We were all eyeing the shade and hurrying. The first big tree drops some long brown sausage-sized seed pods on the ground. It’s very messy. When I saw the dogs jump over one it did not even register. Then I saw a flash of white. It was as if one of the seed pods had given birth to a cotton ball.
In the time it took for the white flash, to reach my eyes, then the signal to reach my mind, and then the emergency message to be sent to the rest of my body I had already taken one more step toward the white. Then all the muscles in my body exploded backward like a grasshopper. I bumped Cindy and stifled any sounds. I did not want the dogs to notice anything. They are obedient and responsive to me, always curious if they might get a treat. I tried to calmly point the snake out to Cindy and quickly move to safety. I was extremely aware that I was wearing sandals. After creating lots of space between us and the Water Moccasin, I went back to take a picture. Later, when I looked it up I realized that Cottonmouth was a better name.
The Bible tells us we are all in a Spiritual Battle. Sometimes we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23), sometimes the sun tries to harm us by day (Ps 121), sometimes it is the criticism of people, “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s (Ps 140). In all cases, in predictable trouble or in ones that suddenly arrive, we have to listen to God’s voice. It is our only protection. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.