Snake At The Wheel

The drama never ends in Critter Patch, though a word of caution might be in order. This story is not for the squeamish. Readers who are easily unsettled by "creepy crawly" creatures might want to stop reading now.

I have a deep love for all of God's creations, including the, shall we say, less appreciated models. My fascination with bats, rats, spiders, snakes, and such has at times even cost me friendships. But, it's also won some, especially from those in needing assistance removing an unsavory creature from their premises.

The other day I came across a rat snake sunning himself in the street. I was driving too fast to stop or swerve, but I pulled over and ran back to see if he survived. Amazingly, he was unharmed. Apparently emboldened by his brush with death, he curled into a ball and took his stand in the middle of the road, daring anyone to cross him.

Do you ever make an impulsive decision based solely on emotion? Unfortunately I do, especially if there's an animal involved. I was sure the next motorist would crush this insanely brave snake, so I made a hasty decision, one I would later come to regret. I captured the snake. What a beauty -- about 5 1/2 feet long and maybe an inch and half in diameter shiny black with red and yellow flecks! Catching him went smoothly, but then I decided to relocate him to my house. I reasoned that he would be safe living under my cabin and his presence might be beneficial to me as well. He could hold the mouse population in check and he might even deter visitors like the skunk who recently decided to fumigate the crawl space under my living room. Funny how some ideas can seem so good...until you try them. I was by myself, meaning I was the driver. Now, of course I'm just assuming that you've never tried to drive and hold a writhing serpent at the same time, let me go on record saying, " I wouldn't recommend it." It is amazing how much strength this guy had. He was all over the place, wrapping around my steering wheel, gear shift, head, arms, rear view mirror, and in turn the car followed suit, swerving left, right, drifting to the middle, aiming for the ditch then back again. I tightened my grip on his head but feared his own strength would rip him asunder. I let him go momentarily just to keep him from breaking his neck then grabbed him again before he disappeared under the seat. I had to creep along and spent more time unraveling his coils than I did watching the road. I guess it's good I didn't pass any cops. While my erratic driving might have been explained by the snake's presence, the reason for its presence in my car might have been the more difficult for the officer to understand!

I did make it home safely, my prize wrapped tightly around one arm. Letting out a sigh of relief, I released the snake that gladly slithered under my porch and disappeared into the darkness beneath it. It felt good! Yes, the drive home had been difficult, but now it all seemed worth it.

Forgetting the snake, I went on about my work. Later that evening, I crossed my brother's driveway on the way to our garden plot. There in the gravel was my snake. There would be no saving him now. It was too late. He must have decided to cross at the worst possible moment. My heart sank to my toes. How could this happen? Shock and sadness kept me standing there for many long minutes. My mind traced through the earlier scene of amazing survival, capture and relocation. My intentions had been good. How could it end so sadly?

Perhaps there is more than one lesson to be learned from this experience, but one especially hit home. Good intentions do not guarantee positive results.

"There is a way that seemeth (or feels) right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 16:25

I am so glad we don't have to trust our future to our own feelings and flawed reasoning. God has promised to give us the wisdom we need to make all of life's important decisions. We need only ask Him. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5

All our good intentions are pointless and fruitless without Him.

Bonnie Morsette ~ 6/5/2009