When Chips Go Flying

The story is told of a zookeeper who saw a mouse that had fallen into the glass enclosure of a large snake. Although the snake was sleeping in a bed of sawdust, the mouse knew that it was only a matter of time before he became supper. The man could almost see the gears of the mouse's mind turning and churning, as he tried to find a remedy to his situation. He couldn't climb the glass walls to freedom. He couldn't tackle the snake in direct confrontation. In desperation, the mouse did the only thing he could do; he tried to cover the snake with sawdust chips. The chips flew fast and furious until that mouse had buried the snake. Now the mouse might have been content with his paw work, but the man knew the clock was still ticking – the snake would awake – the mouse would die. That's when the man took a wooden rod and placed it into the snake's cage. The mouse grabbed hold and was freed. 


I think that's a great story- and a great analogy for our own lives. 


When times have us down, troubles assail us, and dangers surround us, we feel trapped. We feel helpless, and we feel there's nothing we can do.


You know, when I've been sick, and as I continue to struggle with some aspects of health, I think of ways I try and throw chips to try and cover the situation and problem.


In case you don't remember, or didn't read about it, my medical doctor switched one of my night time antidepressants. I was having problems with daytime fatigue, which was a side effect. If you saw my schedule the other day, you know that I simply cannot have that during the school year.


The only choice I faced was to go off of the antidepressant. But then that meant I was giving up the aid to my sleep- the pill that was causing me to sleep so well, was making me too tired. (Ironic, isn't it?) 


Anyway, as I mentioned yesterday, they put me on Ambien. It was not working. I was back to the old routine before I got on the antidepressant. So they added on a new pill. 


I realized I was depending too much on my medical doctor for help with the sleep. I was flinging the chips on this big snake by trying to depend on earthly people and elements.


I realized, I had not once yet prayed about the situation. That I did last night. I prayed that my new medicine would work.


I slept a little bit better last night. The doctor said it would take about 3 days.


On a side note, I left the doctor's office a bit discouraged yesterday. He handed me the slip of paper that you hand to the receptionist so she can calculate your bill. 


Under the diagnosis section he wrote:
INSOMNIAC.


My eyes almost bugged out when I saw that. Nothing against insomnia, but I strongly disliked being slapped with another label. I talked in this post about accepting my depression label. 


I don't consider myself an insomniac- I think the sleeplessness/restlessness comes with the depression. But there it was, that label, staring me back in the face.


It doesn't matter, I guess, because I know what I am and whose I am.


Anyway, yet another instance in life where I felt trapped in the cage with the snake.


But there's more to the story. Like that mouse was able to climb up using the pole, we are able to do the same.


Christ provides a pole for us to grasp on and climb out of all of our problems. We don't have to worry about chucking chips at our snakes. 


When we pray, God may not answer "Yes, I will deliver you right now," but He will answer and tell us it will be okay, no matter what happens, because he loves us.


And He will always provide us with a rod to grasp onto and climb away from the snake.


I think that's pretty amazing.


Blessings:
-Okay- I mentioned picture taking yesterday- here is probably the picture I like the most that I took today. What do you think? (I don't know if it works as a cover shot for the book, but it is a good picture nonetheless)

-One of my close friends from school texted me today. He said he couldn't wait to see me soon! I have pretty awesome friends! Getting texts like that are great!

-This morning I worked, and the Ladies committee was doing a serious clean up of the place. I helped, and while cleaning isn't my favorite thing to do, we were all roaring with laughter on several occasions- make situations fun, and find the joy.

-I spent 3 hours this afternoon on my porch reading. The weather is probably perfect in my eyes.

-I got a puppet in the mail that I ordered for teaching.

-I found out my last paycheck got screwed up, and I got another one today for the amount I didn't get. What a great surprise!

-My mentor professor sent me a very encouraging e-mail today!

Things are awesome!