Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Creature in the House

There's a creature in the house. I think it is about 3 feet tall, long tail, sharp, maybe bucked teeth with drool sliding down it's chin. The creature doesn't sleep at night but stomps around, chewing wood and steel. The creature believes that he (I think it's a "he") is setting up house for his future "babe" creature and their offspring...lots and lots of them.

At 2:00 AM, I couldn't take it anymore. The creature was no longer capable of being ignored.

"Hey, Babe!" I whispered. "I think that creature is going to chew it's way into our bedroom."

Being the calm, very calm man that J is, he replied, "Honey, it's just a little mouse. He'll stop before long."

I forgot about whispering. "It's NOT a little mouse! This thing is huge. I think it's a giant rat or a beaver or maybe even a gremlin." (Yes, my imagination overflows sometimes.)

J (bless his heart) gets up and goes into the attic storage of the house behind the closet in our bedroom with a flashlight. I wait to hear thudding and slamming and screeching but there's nothing. He comes back in and climbs back in bed.

"Did you get him?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"No, he's in the floor space between the floor and the ceiling of the rooms downstairs." He turns over to begin his descent into sleepland.

Last night, I went behind J (bravely, I might add) with the intent to seek out the creature. I lifted up a box and out fell a small bottle of oil that J used for when he prayed for his congregation during church services. Right then and there, I had an idea. I dabbed a little here and there, all over the doorway. I prayed this prayer....

"Dear God, please don't let the creature cross this doorway. Amen."

I went to sleep with peace, knowing that with God on my side, the creature was bound to get bored, unnerved, afraid and maybe hungry and leave. At least....I hope that it does and soon.

Life is like that as well. We don't realize that we open the door to unexpected creatures in our lives...

We allow the kids to watch something that is inappropriate.

We fall into the sea of gossip, just to belong.

We over eat because it's there and not because we're hungry.

We lose our tempers and say something that we later regret.

We envy others for what they have and what we do not have.

We stretch the truth a tiny bit which leads to a bigger thing...a lie.

All this time, we are feeding and allowing the creature to dwell in our homes.

I know that there are creatures looming around in my home. Some are seen and others aren't. I'm praying though that they will find that there is no place for them to dwell and they'll pack up their bags and leave.

If not, I have big stick and I'm not afraid to use it.

How about you? Do you have creatures, unwelcome in your home?

21 comments:

Liz Mays said...

When you mentioned how you prayed, it reminded me of how I pray. I ask for a hedge of protection, and it's so comforting.

But mama, you also need to make sure you put some traps out. ;)

Rae said...

I have a few "creatures" - mostly imaginary things that tend to pop up in the middle of the night when my mind has a tendency to be overactive with worry. Funny how they are sooo BIG in the dark, but miniscule in the daytime.

Terra said...

I love the way you used the oil and a prayer to keep that critter out. Prayer is a big protector.

Brian Miller said...

oy, nice analogy too with the creatures we let get into our homes...we can pray the hedge but we also have to make right decisions..

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I call 'em the tenants upstairs. (Funny we don't have an upstairs) I'll hear the pitty~patter of little feet above the celin' in our family room. If I keep poison under the house it usually takes care of 'em.

I've heard that mice don't like the smell of mint! Ya might try usin' mint oil to anoint the area! Heeehehe!

God bless and have a wonderful Thanksgiving sweetie! :o)

Sweet Tea said...

Sure wish you hadn't mentioned that part of eating too much "just because it's there". Ouch!

Mari said...

I love the application to your "creature" and the creatures we all let into our lives. Prayer goes a long way with both!

Connie said...

So wisely said........Where would be without prayer. Even then, the little creatures find a way in.

Connie said...

So wisely said........Where would be without prayer. Even then, the little creatures find a way in.

Velvet Over Steel said...

I love the way you turned your story into a lesson for us all. So true, so true!!

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!!!

& Let us know if you hear or see that mouse again... :-)

Hugs,
Coreen XO

Jill said...

LOL I've had my husband up to investigate those noises too! Little buggers are quick! LOL Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Blessings,
Jill

Chapters From My Life said...

So well written post and the reference you made in the end is so true for all of us..
I have lot of those uninvited guests in my home as it is an old home which cannot stop these creatures from entering. Have lost many precious things at times to those gnawing rodents..

Kwana said...

I do I think we all do in our homes and lives. I love your prayer. Happy Thanksgiving.

Relyn Lawson said...

The meal has been eaten.
The kitchen is clean.
The leftovers are stashed.
The walk has been taken.
Everyone is happy and fed and blessed.
Now I have the time to stop by.
On this Thanksgiving Day, I wanted to tell you that I am thankful for you; for this blog; for inspiration and connection. Sending you much love, Relyn

Veronica Lee said...

I just love the way you play with words, Simone.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Joanna Jenkins said...

I had an unwelcomed creature in my house and I caught it with a very large mouse trap and peanut butter ;-)
xoxo jj

XmasDolly said...

OMG Amen to that one. I just love the way you write. You had me on the edge of my seat Girl! Ooooo I hate those little buggers! They just move in without so much as a How ja do, but I'll tell ya they're nothing like the little mice you see in the cartoon fables. They carry disease & they're noisy & only at night when you're trying to sleep. I bought these white cardboard boxes with heavy duty glue inside & they work like a charm. I make the hubby garbage them though. Thanks for stopping by & your kind words my friend. I hope you come back soon. hugzzzz & God bless.

Leslie Basil Payne said...

I've been away from the blogging world as took care of mom for a few weeks. Writing like this is what keeps me coming back! (And ouch on the overeating comment. :0)

Deidra said...

Okay. Seriously. What was that in your house?

Helene said...

I just realized that I never posted this on my blog...in fact, I think the post is still sitting in my drafts!! But the reason we ended up with a new oven/stove is because we had a mouse who set up house in the back of our oven. Seriously, there was a nest inside there with droppings and mouse hair and other disgusting things. So so so gross.

I absolutely love how you were able to take this story and morph into a life lesson. So true, isn't it?? We are all guilty of it.

Hope the oil and the prayers keep the creature away (from your oven, especially)!

Annesphamily said...

I like the way you pray! I always add that God will allow his mightiest angels like Michael the warrior to help protect us. Extra protection is always welcome. When I Lived in my old house the devil seemed to attack us on all sides. A friend came over and put oil over all the doors and prayed for protection! It worked and we were left alone. All prayer in Jesus name seems to scare the devil away.

 

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