Predators

Is it only teenage girls who can belly laugh past 1am and no one else gets how funny it is?
It was one of those trips I got to go on with my best friend from Junior High. A church skiing trip.

Our parents’ Sunday School class hosted it and we had the adventure! From ‘falling’ as we departed the ski lift, so cute guys could come ‘help’ us. To sneaking a sip at the lodge.

But the night I remember most is us lying on the top bunk across from each other. Belly laughing so hard that our stomach muscles hurt. I could barely catch my breath. But we could not stop laughing.

As I tell you what we were laughing about, it won’t seem that funny. That’s how it is with teenage girls. So you will have to believe me. We laughed for hours!

We were trying to think of the words to a song. I do not even remember why we were singing this one. But it’s when the lyrics do not come to you, that you begin to make them up. That’s where the laughter begins.

“Lions and tigers and ……. oh my!” 

Yep we could not think of the third animal in this famous song from the Wizard of Oz. 

The memory of this silly song surfaced while I was in Florida. There, any body of water could include an alligator. Not something this Kansas girl is used to. On a walk around two retaining areas, holding only a large puddle of water, I saw many birds and a piece of wood sticking up out of the water. 

Yes, that’s right, that piece of wood, looking just like a rounded end of a small log was actually an alligator’s nose! As I continued to walk, I watched it just lay there. Still and waiting. 

“Lions and tigers and alligators. Oh my!”

It got me thinking of predators. They often lie in wait for their prey. They wait until they see one alone, tired, or weak. Then they quietly, quickly, move in for the attack. 

In the Bible, Peter warns us about our predator. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

I have noticed when I start to feel alone, tired or weak, this is when I am most apt to feel defeated, think negatively and focus on my problems. This is a time when I am not alert or thinking clearly. I overlook all the blessings God has given me. I forget God’s promise to never leave me or forsake me. I lose sight of all the friends and family I have supporting and loving me. I am easy prey. 

Peter doesn’t just tell us to wake up and pay attention. He gives us actual action steps. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9

Peter is directing us to turn to God, the scriptures and your faith. Remember you are not alone. There is a family of believers throughout the world. We are not alone. Others know the battle. Others know loneliness. They too experience being tired or weak. As we turn to our faith and our faith community, the enemy flees from us, because we are no longer alone or weak. We are surrounded and strengthened.

After my friend and I exhausted our list of predators; “Lions and tigers and cheetahs, oh my!” Cackling with “Lions and tigers and hyenas, oh my!” We also got super silly. 

“Lions and tigers and chickens, oh my!”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. You know the struggles I will face and you have given me guidance. When I feel alone, tired and weak, please bring to my mind my faith, family, friends and You. Remind me that I am surrounded and strengthened. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.