There were so many things to learn when we moved to the lake in the Carolinas. One of the first things we learned was that these waters have snakes. I can handle most anything, but snakes freak me out. They are creepy, sneaky, ugly, and let’s not forget that the devil took the shape of a serpent. ALL snakes are ‘the devil’ to me.
We enjoyed spending time on our dock. One spring morning, I went to the dock, and was getting ready to take out our boat. As I looked around, I saw something that didn’t belong under the dock. I ran and got my ‘tool of choice’, a broom. I swept that nasty thing off the crossbars of the dock. I went down the next two weeks to check and every day, that determined snake came back, and was resting on the same crossbars. Every day I would take my broom and knock that serpent off and watch it swim away. One beautiful sunny day, my husband and I were headed out for a boat ride, when we spotted that snake was back. Apparently that bratty little snake decided that he owned this dock, and he was not going to leave. As was my routine, I grabbed the broom, and tried to sweep him off the crossbars. This time, he was not going to move. I flipped the broom around, and poked the snake with the handle, but he still was not going to move! I called my husband over and asked him to be my hero by removing that snake. His response was to leave the snake alone, and it would leave when it felt like it. What?!? Here’s the problem with that logic, our boat is suspended out of the water, and as we lowered the boat, I would be eye-to-eye to that devil! It didn’t bother him much, because the snake resided on MY side of the boat. What if the snake leaped into the boat? Okay, it probably wouldn’t jump in for a ride, but you never know what the devil is thinking. I had to do something. I laid down on the dock and started to poke and prod that snake with the broom to no avail. Without thinking, out of desperation and shear frustration, I reached down and slapped that serpent into the water. I jumped up and began jumping around the dock. I just touched a snake! I KNOW I did, because I could still feel those creepy, cold, nasty scales, as if the snake was in my hand. YUCK! Now, in our neighborhood, I am known as ‘The lady that swatted a snake off the dock.’
We are known for what we do and what we say. People in my neighborhood will call me to remove animals from our property and homes, like a tiny turtle I was asked to remove from a neighbor’s home and gently place it in the lake, or to help them round up a stray dog.
We all need to be aware of what we are known for. I don’t want to be known for trying to be tough and hitting a bratty water snake. I’d rather be known for the things I do for others. I don’t want to be known as the protector of the dock, but as someone that cares for others and lifts others up. In Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, you can read about wisdom. It speaks about having a good name. What do people think of when they hear your name? How do people know you? The apostle John reminds us that people will know us by loving others like Christ loved us. Wouldn’t it be great that when people think of us, they think of a person that loves others unconditionally. They think of someone that will be there for others anywhere, anytime. A friend that loves others like Christ loves us. Our reputation carries weight. Are we known for things like protecting our dock, or loving others, like Christ loves us.
“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1
‘A new Commandment I have given to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ John 13:34-35
