Early this afternoon I had
an unnerving experience. Feeling a little off colour, I decided to have a short
nap, hoping it would set me right before tackling my afternoon chores. Sitting
on the edge of the bed, a feather-like sensation brushed my arm. Looking down,
expecting to see a hair or thread, I could see nothing. Moving my arm again triggered
the same sensation and I decided I must have intercepted a spider’s web.
I should probably tell you,
spiders and I just don’t get on! I’ve never met a spider I wanted to get to
know! I think I’m a fairly kind person but when I meet a spider I like to be
dressed for the occasion. My dress should include a pair of shoes, either of
which can be quickly and easily removed. Thongs are just perfect. I can whip
one off, smack…no more spider! The only kind of spider I’m comfortable with is
a DEAD spider!
So, back to my story…
Standing back from the bed I
looked up. There, parked on the very white ceiling was a very black spider!! Oh
my goodness, I especially hate these ones! They look so evil!
Being unable to reach the
nasty little piece of work, I decided my best friend was a can of insect spray.
Coming back into the bedroom armed with my new best friend, I reached across to
aim the nozzle at the ceiling. However as I did, I must have disturbed the
single web thread that first alerted me to the black menace above.
Before even a single burst
of the deadly spray left the can, like a dead weight released from a great
height, the spider dropped to the bed! A spider on the ceiling is one thing,
but a spider on a bed…that’s just wrong!
I had a new dilemma…I didn't want to use insect spray on the bed linen but my loose-fitting footwear,
although usually perfect for the task, wasn't quite right on this occasion. Looking
at the white sheet, I decided it had to be a clean death.
After several attempts to
eliminate the nasty little black menace, he retreated to the dark recesses
between the bed and the wall, where he eventually met his demise.
It took several minutes to
collect myself, and when I did, I had the chance to consider what might have
happened had I not been alerted to the spider’s presence right above me. I
calculated its landing place, had I been lying on the bed, would probably have
been my neck.
After a little research into
the consequences of such an encounter, I decided it was a very good thing I had
not been laying on the bed. Although not generally aggressive, his painful bite could
have lead to some nasty reactions including swelling, vomiting, breathing
problems, nausea and giddiness.
As often happens when we
experience a shock, albeit something as insignificant as my unpleasant
encounter, we are prompted to think a little more deeply. This was my experience
and I found myself wondering how often we avoid danger, how often we are diverted
within seconds of disaster, but are totally unaware.
For some reason my pondering made a detour and I began thinking about the role parents play with
their small children. When my girls were young I was constantly on the lookout
for potential dangers - like pot handles sticking out from stove tops. On many
occasions I removed my little ones from the threat of harm.
I got to wondering if that
is exactly what happened to me this afternoon. Did my Heavenly Father alert me
to the presence of the spider above me? With what I know of God, I am very
comfortable with this notion.
I was made aware of today's black bedroom intruder but I wondered how often God does this very
same thing and I am unaware. I am protected and totally oblivious; therefore
there is no opportunity for gratitude. However, today’s little encounter offered
plenty of opportunity for gratitude. I was very thankful for the warning and thankful for the
reminder that my Heavenly Father is always watching over me…even when I encounter
fury, black house spiders!
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