Texas is a place that runs deep in my heart. I was born in Texas and have always loved the fact that I will always be a Texas gal.Things I love about Texas:
- Beautiful sunsets - like painted backdrops
- Lightening storms - powerful beyond words
- Blue Bonnets and Indian Paints - they lace the canvas with color every season
- Tall pine trees stretching toward the heavens - the ones you can hardly get your arms around
- Road runners and covey of quail that run through your yard every fall
- The ocean and seagulls
- Wild cactus blooms
- The smell of mesquite wood burning
- That there is a church on almost every corner
- The men - no matter how old still say "yes ma'am."
- Cowboys wearing cowboy hats, ropers, and wranglers
- Wild raccoons and possums - I know they tear up stuff but I love seeing them
- Big pick up trucks and the best country music around
- The greatest thing is that my family lives there
- The list is endless . . . .
Yet - Along with beauty there is also the ugly. Most perfections have some kind of flaw. Along with the beautiful side of Texas there is a rough side, a strong strong, and a side that I do not miss at all.
- Fire ants - if you have ever gotten stung by a fire ant you understand that it is extremely painful - but to actually find yourself standing in a bed of fire ants- that is trouble - BIG TROUBLE.
- Along with fire ants are "sugar ants" - they are perfectly harmless but they come by the thousands and get into your food. They come through the cracks in your walls, outlets, and anywhere they can find a hole.
- Tornadoes - destructive and dangerous
- Snakes - I lived in the country and every kind of snake you can imagine ended up in our back yard. . . . one even in our house! Some are harmless but many are not and they will kill you.
- Summer Heat - the heat can become so violent in Texas that everything dies and you must stay in doors. It is absolutely too hot to be outside.
- Goat Heads - large thorns that stick deep hurt with a passion
- and the last . . . scorpions.
It is inevitable that while on this journey we will pass through those places of danger, places of hurt, and places that stir our fears - no matter how beautiful the scenery is.
The other day this story came to mind. After visiting with a friend of mine on the phone, she shared a tale about me that had been circulating among the members of the church I used to attend. It stung. It wasn't true and of course I understood it to be gossip but it didn't take away from the hurt. I felt attacked. In reality it was a sting very much like the scorpion. I was caught off guard and offended.
The truth is - God reminded me of the story about the scorpion because I needed to be reminded that it is very much like my love for Texas. There are many people in my old church whom I still love and love to visit with - and just like Texas there are still things there that will sting and hurt me. The result of that creates fear - I become cautious and always careful when turning a corner to make sure nothing was there that would sting me.
God doesn't want me or anyone else to live our lives in fear. The fear causes us to shy away from people who may very well need us and who may become a very wonderful friend one day. So I will take the advise of Ezekiel and move forward knowing that God is guiding me through those paths thickened with thorns, briers, . . . and yes . . . even scorpions.
"And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house." (Ezekiel 2:6)
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