Our house was vacant for a number of months before we moved in. We were in the house for less than 72 hours before we had a family emergency back in Ohio. Add to that length of time, a death in our family, a lack of tools and a husband with an insanely busy schedule and you have the perfect recipe for an lawn in desperate need of a trim—or  a machete.

Needless to say when the neighbor volunteered to lend a hand, I gladly accepted the help.

An hour or so later, I heard a knock on the door. “Seeing is believing,” he said. “Come with me…”

“Snakes like tall grass,” he explained as he led me to the gate in the side yard. “This… is a copperhead snake. They are poisonous. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of it for you.”

He took the heel of his foot, and crushed the head of the snake.

“Welcome to the South,” he smiled.

Oddly enough, I was not afraid.

Why? I didn’t have to be. The man who showed me where the snake was hiding, knew how to handle it.

Here’s what I’m learning:

The uncertainties, the everyday worries, the annoyances will come. They cannot be avoided.  But if they are not quickly cut down to size, they will grow out of control. 

Before we know it, our gaze shifts to the cares instead of locked on the One Who cares.

We spend too much time being care-full instead of caring for our hearts. 

Take care in the overgrowth, Beloved. That old serpent is hiding in there.

Take care, but don’t worry— There is One who has crushed the serpent’s head

Take the cares of your heart into the presence of the One Who Cares. Let Him nourish you with His love. He is The Way, The Truth, The Life. 

Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.

 

Now it’s your turn. How do you care for your heart?