Thursday, September 5, 2013

For September 5th:


“Keep steady my steps according to your promise.” Psalm 119:133a

One summer during seminary I directed a 10-week day camp in Jacksonville, Florida.  I had never lived in Florida so planning weekly field trips for the kids was a challenge.  Each week I would research possible venues and then on Saturday would visit them to confirm that it was something appropriate and fun for the kids.  This particular Saturday I arrived at a hiking trail on Amelia Island that looked quite promising.  However, a small unassuming sign stood at the beginning of the trail which read:  “Proceed quietly, so not to disturb the alligators”.  Curious, I thought, but continued and never saw an alligator.  It was a perfect place!  So . . . three days later I stood at the beginning of the trail with 15 children (kindergarten – fifth grade) and read the sign to them and said, “I was here before and never saw an alligator, but to be safe, lets walk quietly.”  Forward we began.  Two children in front of me and 13 kids following.  All of the sudden the two in front came to a screeching halt, not making a sound but pointing furiously.  AN ALLIGATOR!!  What was that I read, “Alligators are not aggressive.”  But this was an alligator with 10 babies all around her.  Silently I prayed with much panic, “Lord, there’s an alligator on my path!!!  What am I supposed to do?!  Outwardly, I said very calmly to the kids, “Be very quite and still, we will wait for them to move off the path.”  The kids did exactly what I said and sure enough in a couple of minutes mom and babies moved off the trail into the swamp.  We continued our hike and the kids ranked that trip as number one!!  They thought it was great to see an alligator and babies!  Their parents weren’t so sure and I would have rather not had that experience.  However, I took away a couple of truths:  Shared experiences generate different avenues of gratitude and when panic hits – pray, wait, then move.  All in all, I am even grateful for the alligators on my path!

MaryBeth Hammett

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