Eyes in the Dark

In my family, the person riding shotgun in the car has a responsibility (when they're not reading): watching for varmints and critters and deer. Yes, critters and varmints are different. I even double checked with Webster. Here's what he had to say:

Critter = same as creature.  
So helpful, eh? <--That's the Maine in me sneaking out.
Creature = an animate or living being; especially a domestic animal.
Varmint = a person or animal regarded as troublesome or objectionable. We have both in my parts: people as varmints and animals as varmints. I prefer the animal variety.

Critters can be cute and sometimes cuddly. Varmints, never. Critters are chased off. Varmints... well, we won't go into detail about how we've dealt with some varmints around here but usually Gracie is pretty good about keeping them at bay. Those and the deer. But there is that one deer that established the local pecking order. Gracie hobbled for weeks after that encounter.

But when Gracie goes visiting? All bets are off.

The other night, on my way home from Bible study, I crossed paths with dear ol' Gracie. She was on her way to visit some other local Pyrennes and was a good mile from home. When I crested the hill, I saw eyes in the field (because I watch for eyes when I'm driving, especially at night!) and then I noticed her white polar bear look against the winter colors of the field. Of course I stopped and chatted with her but Gracie is shy of cars (with good reason—but that's another post) so I couldn't just load her up and go home. I had to putz all the way home with my window down. Is that love or what? (And don't even try to say it was stupidity. It was love, okay?!) By the time we got home I was frozen and she was not. It was a long mile.

But usually the eyes glowing in the light of the headlights are not my Gracie. Often the eyes are 'possums (varmint) or cats (critter). Sometimes, when it's just not your night (or day, but that's another story too), it's a skunk. But usually the eyes that are not hugging the ground are deer. And when you see one pair of those eyes you've got to look for the rest of them and honk your horn. There's a fine art to horn honking when it comes to deer. One long blast will get them running, but it might be right at you. Several toots strung together usually makes them turn-tail and run away from you, which is what you want unless you're wanting to sport a remodeled bumper or quarter panel.

Yanno, when I see eyes in the dark and I'm in my car, I don't usually worry about it much. I'm safe. Sure, I may slam on the brakes and even brace myself for a bump or worse, but I know that the car offers me protection from varmints that I wouldn't have if I were walking. That reminds me of the protection and safety I have being IN Jesus.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 NAS


God's protection is much better than what my little car offers me! Now there's something to remember when you see eyes glowing in the darkness of your life! Safe in Jesus. There's no better place to be.