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Bright rays of sunshine peeked through the window blinds. Their angled beams kissed the breakfast table, beckoning us to the outdoors. Glancing at Jordan, I hoped he’d be agreeable to taking advantage of the final days of an Indian summer. Most of the leaves had fallen from their branches, but not without displaying rich autumn hues. Winter would soon take us captive, snatching the freedom we sought. However, there was still today, and I wasn’t going to waste it.
Exploring the new neighborhood had become our favorite pastime. Jordan and I had found our own secret places. Each outing left us hungry for more. The winding roads, rocky stream, the run-down playground, the many abandoned treasures disguised as junk. Not everyone was as knowledgeable as we were in the value of tossed riches.
Faces were becoming familiar as we trekked past neighbors. We had our own private names for the regulars… Reading-lady, Dog-man, the Rake, and Smiley. Maybe someday we’d find out their real names, but not in the middle of our secret mission.
As Jordan finished his breakfast, I leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Want to go outside and take a walk this morning?” Jordan’s eyes lit up. The magic word was “outside.” He would live outdoors if it were up to him. Before I could explain my plan, Jordan was in hyper-drive and eager to go.
“Hum, let’s see, drinks, lunch, snacks, cell phone, watch, wheels. That’s everything Jordan, let’s roll!”
Full of anticipation, we set out to survey the landscape and surroundings.
The breeze felt wonderful on my face, invigorating, intoxicating. Jordan was the first to hear wind chimes in the distance, singing praises to God. I enjoyed every moment of our walk, absorbing the beauty of creation. Brilliant mums lined the neighbor’s driveway. Across the street, the pumpkins caught Jordan’s attention. We decided to cross the field instead of continuing on our usual route.
With each airplane that flew overheard, Jordan was amazed. He’d act as though it were the first he’d ever seen. He’d stop, wave, and watch until it disappeared into the clouds. “Jordan, if we stop for every plane we’ll never get across this field!” He pretended not to hear me.
Sparkling rocks, pieces of cut glass, walking sticks, and bunches of purple wild flowers were filling-up our small back-pack. If we were to continue treasure hunting, we needed to empty our pack.
“Early lunch Jordan?” His smile said it all.
We found an oak tree to sit under. As we were eating, we were startled. A rabbit hopped in front of us. We didn’t have any idea where it came from, but there it was. We knew where we didn’t want it to go… after our food!
Jordan reached into the bag, pulled out a carrot, and tossed it a few feet away. Immediately the rabbit followed the bright orange carrot. We laughed, declaring Jordan a hero.
Several fluffy white clouds were passing overhead. Jordan and I leaned against the tree to play the cloud game. We were imagining a large school bus when suddenly Jordan screamed. Looking in Jordan’s direction, instinctively I hollered, “SNAKE! Don’t move Jordan.”
Trying to be the hero, I suddenly felt helpless, realizing I didn’t know what to do. I wished I’d paid attention to the Discovery Channel, but I hadn’t. Now I was face-to-face with a dangerous snake rattling at my twenty-month-old grandson.
I was clueless until I looked at Jordan. Instead of focusing on the snake, Jordan’s eyes were on me. He trusted me to take care of him more than he feared the snake’s intent to harm him. Jordan knew Grandma loved him and somehow would rescue him. We had a history together. I took care of him, provided for him, and kept him safe. I couldn’t let him down. I couldn’t break that bond of trust between us, and he knew it.
That was the key to overpowering the snake…. shifting my focus from fear to trust… taking my eyes off the snake and putting them on God. I didn’t have to understand how God would do it; I just had to trust that He would. As I prayed, surrendering myself, the snake recoiled, slipping away as quickly as it had appeared.
Agreeing we’d had enough excitement for one day, we went straight home… anticipating naptime.
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"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" Proverbs 3:5(NIV)
© 05-31-2007
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