SNAKEBIT

SNAKEBIT

In disappointment and despair I recoiled at the sight of an eight-year-old being snakebit, at such a young, tender age.  All those around him, who love him dearly, had warned, often, of the danger of snakes.  But, either a wicked playmate, or forces unseen, had lured him to the snake hole.  I did not see the attack; I only saw the fang marks. 

I looked away in disbelief.  I did not want to alarm the child any more than he was already agitated.  But, when I picked up the I-pad, to play Hearts, he ran toward me, stopped, then retreated.  He had left up the Yahoo search for “NECKID LADYS” – but, I quickly hit the “off-button” and tossed aside the device.  Then, I turned off my wi-fi router for the rest of his visit.  I had guarded his dignity and halted his descent.

A life-long battle has begun for the little fellow.  It sometimes seems as if the whole world is drowning in venom?!  At the very least, this world has become a snake pit.  It is difficult to move without stepping on some viper.  Far too many even worship the Snake?!  We all need a good dose of herpe-phobia?!  Such snakes should be killed.

Thank the Lord above that there is anti-venom.  As Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so has the Son of Man been lifted up, that all who focus on Him might live!  A mortal wound has been inflicted in the venomous head.  But, I once saw a timber rattler, missing the top of his head from a shotgun blast, still strike at a curious child who picked up, by the tail, the dying snake carcass?!  A wounded animal can be the most dangerous.

So, what is to be done?  Snake-boots?  Snake repellent?  Snake hunts?  Some villagers, before the harvest, burn the cane fields to run out the rats and snakes?!  At the very least, a cautious eye is mandatory.  And, stay out of the high grass?  May God bless our sons and daughters, protecting them from the Snake!

Maybe, St. Patrick’s “Breastplate” would be appropriate as a closing thought?

…

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

…