About a month ago, while at home alone I encountered a gecko, lizard, salamander...whatever. All I know is that it was greenish and slithered.
While sitting in the family room in front of the television, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. You know the feeling when you think you just saw something move but you're not sure? Anyway, I looked away then returned my glance to see a greenish, 4-6 inch long lizard-like creature perched atop a picture frame. Being a city girl, I don't take kindly to God's creatures coming indoors. My rule is: I don't mess with them and they won't mess with me.
As a person who typically springs into action during a crisis, I decided to take on this creature with a broom and a can of Raid Wasp and Hornet Spray...don't laugh, more on that later. With my tools of combat, I slowly moved toward the creature perched atop the picture frame. I was already convinced the gecko was contemplating how to attack me while I was sleeping. I proceeded to spray the creature with a long full stream of Raid and swat at it with the broom. This caused several framed prints to fall from the wall with the glass shattering as they crashed on the table directly beneath them.
Now here's what you should know. Raid is like an energy drink to a gecko-lizard! Filled with the chemical, this creature moved up and down the wall at a more random and even quicker pace! This thing goes wild scurrying behind a sofa and then under the coffee table. In a perfectly timed response to its dance, I began to swat frantically at where ever I thought this thing might consider going. In my blind fear, I knocked over a lamp, a vase on the table, rolled up the area rug stomped on it and pulled furniture away from every wall. After a few minutes of still not finding the gecko, I stood in the middle of the room in stunned silence observing my quickly created disaster. Streaks of Raid silently dripped down the walls and its quiet puddles bubbled on the end tables. One table was on its side and glass from the broken frames and the vase were scattered on a sofa and the carpet. The scent of Raid filled the air stinging my nostrils. Yes, my home now looked like the crime scene from a CSI-style television show. And still, I had not found the lizard.
All of this in response to a little creature who was most likely lost and as afraid of me as I was of it. Well the story could end here with me and the lizard finding a peaceful co-existence. But the next day, I had to leave for a business trip. I slept fine in my hotel room. However, while I was away I imagined the Geico gekco (you know the one from the commercials) being the d.j. at a lizard party in my home. Upon returning home, I could not sleep because I had never found the creature and continued to fear its attack as it lurked around my home.
This week the saga continued. After completing a Bible study with a few women from church, I was walking the last guest to the door and there on the front door was "the creature!" We both screamed like little school girls (her words) and once again I grabbed my broom in true Ninja warrior style. It scampered away into the darkness and my guest ran to her car. Days passed and I decided I simply needed to get over this, because it was surely gone for good.
A few days later, after returning home from a relaxing dinner, I felt compelled to write about this incident as it related to life's fears and learning to trust God to handle our battles. Like a well-scripted actor taking his cue on stage, guess who shows up? I opened the front door and this thing falls from atop the front door frame barely missing my head. I ran into the kitchen and in my final act of warrior bravery, it was me or him. I grabbed my trusty Ninja-broom-sword and ran to the front door. The lizard was still there. It slithered up and down the front door in confusion. Maybe after all these weeks, the Raid was finally working? I took the broom in both hands and drew it back to go in for the hit. With all my force, I slammed it against the front door (thankfully the glass panes did not break). I did not miss this time. The lizard fell to the floor, part of its tail breaking off and continuing to wriggle while the rest of the lizard body lay lifeless on the hardwood floor. Do I feel bad? Yes, a little, I never want to harm God's creatures, but I really have been terrified. Sometimes God just wants us to face our fears and take action. Someone once said to me,"If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it."
What are you afraid of? Are you swatting frantically at life with no real plan? Are you afraid to truly identify and confront your fear? Are you afraid to take action? Whether it's starting a new job, leaving a bad relationship, committing to a fitness program, moving to a new city or sharing your faith. You too can face your gecko(RIP). What are you afraid of? How will you confront it? 1 Corinthians 2:3 says, "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling." Whatever fear you face, remember: God is always with us. Thoughts? C'mon I need to hear from you...
