But When?

Sunday before last Leah and I went to a morning worship service. The preacher kept saying how important fellowship was. That familiar hungering in my heart could not be satisfied any other way. I knew what I needed so I went up to a peaceful spot I’ve gone to for years and had fellowship with my Father.

My daughter went somewhere with a friend and my husband slept in so I knew the time alone was allotted for just this. The wind was blowing quite a bit, the sun was shining down. The humidity was low and the temperature was comfortable. It was a beautiful day.

I pulled up and put the car in park, got out and hopped up on the hood. I sat there looking out over the hills at His creation. Then I looked down and about 2 1/2 feet from me was a snake. I hopped down off the hood of the car and jumped inside (super fast).When I see a snake I immediately think of the ole serpent in the book of Genesis. I sat there for a moment and debated on leaving. I mean I could talk to the Lord anywhere, right? Sure I could have but there’s always been something about that place. We’ve worked through many things there so I decided to stay.

I focused on Him and not what the devil wanted but then I caught myself looking back at the enemy and what he was doing. I’d focus again, the wind would blow and I’d become consumed once again with His Spirit and then I heard, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 KJV)

I watched the tall grass blow in the wind right past the snake. I didn’t even worry about him. I was in awe of my Father and His creation. How He made the wind blow. How the leaves shook. The beautiful hills covered with grass. The gift of senses. The beauty of that fellowship with Him. The love and patience He has for me and my honesty towards Him.

After a few minutes I looked down and the snake was gone. I thanked the Lord and continued to sit with my head propped on my arm out the window. “That was quick,” I thought.

I stayed for a while, talked and listened, read in His Word and was grateful for all that had happened there.

I guess it was about a week or so after this and I’d stepped out onto the porch. I was talking to my mom on the phone and actually heard some leaves rustling around the porch. The thought crossed my mind that I should look but I didn’t. After a few minutes I looked down and there was a snake about 4 feet from me on the ground. My dad came to my rescue as soon as my mom told him what was going on.We didn’t know if he’d stay close until my dad got to my house but he did. He saw him and told me it was a chicken snake. He let him go because he posed no danger. The snake slithered right under my dad’s arm when he’d crouched down looking at him.

This snake didn’t go away as fast as the last one I’d seen.

It reminded me of a conversation I had with a Christian sister, my mother-in-law, early in my walk with Christ. I remember quoting James 4:7 followed by a question- “but when?” She said “bless your heart” and that’s all I remember.

I realized that sometimes it takes time for the devil to flee and sometimes he goes away just as quickly as he came. He’s always busy trying to get at someone. We have to remember- “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 KJV [b])

God bless and good night.

Author: Priscilla Bohannon

I am a wife, a mother and a Christian author. My first book "In Every Situation, God is There" was published in 2014. It's currently unavailable, but I am working on getting it back on the market soon. I enjoy spending time with my family, writing and doing crafts. I clean houses for a living, and have for over 13 years. It provides me with quiet time to reflect on my own messy life. I find peace spending time with the Lord and only have peace when I am walking with Him. Without Him, I'd never make it in this life. View all posts by Priscilla Bohannon