I am from a small town in the mountains of
East Tennessee and lived there for the majority of my life. I moved to Chicago
14 years ago, and as you might imagine there are some differences within the
two communities. Although there may be differences, there is one thing the two
towns have in common, mice.
Lately, I have had some pretty creepy
experiences with mice. Some of you may think, oh brother, its mice live with
it. But you see, I don’t think you have to or should have to live with those
creepy little intruders. I did not invite them into my home, my house is clean,
and there is nothing for them in my home. Plus there is a perfectly good field
across the street. (I mean they are called field mice for crying out loud.)
Until recently I did not realize the phobia
I had when it came to mice. It all started with finding two dead mice in the
same spot two weeks apart. I thought is someone trying to drive me mad. Then
I did not have any sightings for some time. However, about two or three months
ago, four intruders decided that they were going to be resilient and hang
around. I had the Orkin man out three times in one month. Yet, these little
creatures would not leave. It seemed to be immune to the poison and traps. I
was unable to feel comfortable in my home and had terrible time sleeping; the
noise they make at night does not leave one feeling well rested.
Anyway, I begin to pray and asked others to
pray for these nasty intruders to be gone from my home. I mean God can do
anything and he does care about all things that take place in our lives.
However, He also uses things to teach us something. As I begged God to take
the nasty things away, send them to the field across the street, just remove
those vermin’s from my home. God begin to place on my heart the meaning of
being thankful. I began reading Philippians 4, reading again how we are to
pray with thanksgiving and to learn to be content no matter the situation. I
found myself beginning to pray with a heart of thanksgiving, for the provision
God had for me with where I lived, with my job, my friends who were praying for
my situation, and for so much more. As my prayer changed, I began to see
things differently and began to be content in my situation. I will say in no
time the intruders were gone and have not returned. I have been mice free for one
month now. Praise God. He cares and he hears our cry.
I leave
you with this wonderful reminder from Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known
to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
