He crinkled his nose after I opened the door. Pest control arrived fully equipped to evict the skunk. He quickly educated me that if the skunk lived happily under the house he would hold his spray. So something must have upset him which explains the thud I heard before the noxious smell permeated the house. When he returned the next day, the captive was in the trap. Nope, it wasn’t the skunk, it was the upsetting opossum, which I am now told lives in family units. Looks like they set up a little community under there, complete with raccoons. This is getting worse by the minute. I liked it better when I was oblivious, until the offensive smell became impossible to ignore.
Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” HCSB
KNOW HE IS GOD
Being still goes against my nature. Let’s be honest, we are polar opposites. In the quiet, God gets all up in my business. Sometimes I would rather not know what is living under my house, but then it starts stinking. My goal is to intentionally embrace rest and silence because I am beginning to understand it is the only way to truly know Him. I am learning to be content in the quiet. Most of us turn on the radio in the car and the television at home – background noise to drown out the still small voice we don’t want to hear. We resist being still so we play games or scroll through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter-or read blogs. Can you hear the whisper?
1 Kings 19:12, “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” NIV
Are you listening?
Do you hear God softly speaking or do you avoid it with noise and activity?
Do we really want to be examined and see what is living under there, down in the deep recesses of our hearts? For me, it’s not pretty. I avoid allowing God to examine my heart because beneath the picturesque exterior some vermin has taken up residence. Trust me, I don’t have to spell it out for you.
Psalm 69:5, “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” ESV
IT’S TIME FOR SOME THINGS TO GO
The critter diversity under my house became offensive. Living in harmony on this side of heaven is impossible. Someone needed to move out. But hey, at least I am thankful I don’t have wolves, leopards, lions and fatlings (whatever that is).
Isaiah 11:6, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” KJV
HE KNOWS
You may think it’s a veritable wilderness at my house: geese on the pond, deer grazing in my front yard, an occasional turkey or fox and rarely a couple of coyotes. You would never guess I lived in a neighborhood. It’s idyllic on the outside but lately it has been foul underneath. Fortunately my house finally looks like Christmas. It is spotless and every nook and cranny is tastefully decorated. It’s smells more like Aromatique’s Scent of Christmas than Eau de Skunk too. Once I knew what was going on in the places I could not see, I allowed God to deal with it. Some things had to go. I tend to get comfortable with where I am spiritually too and on the surface appear to be living right. But clearly some thing require serious intervention. Not pest control but time in His Word.
Hebrews 4:12-13, “God means what he says. What he says goes. His Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it-no matter what.” MSG
REWARD
Sitting in front of the twinkling white lights on the tree, sweet fellowship is restored. Through His open Word He is pursuing me and I am seeking Him. I am going to stay here awhile. Care to join me in the quiet?
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright
Thank you! Perfect, perfect timing! I hear His soft voice, loud & clear!!! Thank you for letting Him speak through you, sister!
His timing, of course. Bless you
A very good read and reminder…thank you!!
Thanks for writing, even when you feel lousy. Now we want to see pics of your beautiful Christmas decor:)
It looks much better than if I had decorated myself
Wonderful spiritual applications. Thank you. I’m sorry about that skunk though. I hope you got the smell removed–fumigation??? I love the quiet, but sometimes what I hear challenges me.
Amen. The skunk and his scent are gone
We’ve had our share of Skunk and dead animal stink under ours too. Smells of Christmas is my favorite too! Hoping the later is what we come home to after celebrating with family.
For sure! Merry Christmas
Just started Discerning the Voice of God study by Priscilla Shirer, so timely message for me.