Toffee the Temple Dog-Part 3

     I was awakened from a deep sleep by sharp, piercing, nonstop barking and crying. Something was really wrong with little Toffee! Since the weather is warm in Thailand, she slept in her little bed on the balcony outside my third floor Bangkok apartment in the Mission Home…until that night.

     Startled, but still dreary-eyed, I lept from my bed and hastened down the hall toward the balcony. As I flipped on the light and swung the door open, my heart jumped. I immediately saw the problem: A very long, dark-patterned, snake was hanging down from the roof above, partially entwined in the balcony railing. Its head, about a foot from the floor, was sticking out towards my little puppy, and now towards me!! She was running back and forth, barking and staying just out of reach of the snake. I yelled for her to come, and as she neared me, I lunged forward and scooped her up. Hugging her tightly, I quickly retreated and slammed the door.

     Whew! We were in! “Thank you, God,” I prayed. With my heart still pounding, I remembered the gap under the door. I grabbed some towels and jammed them into the open space. “There,” I thought. “No snakes will be getting inside here tonight!” As I sat on the cold tile floor in the hall, still holding Toffee in my arms, I was so glad that she was safe. And I knew, then and there, that was the last night she would spend on the balcony!!!

     For me, this story brings to mind several analogies. The first has to do with the way the snake slithered from the roof and down the railing. It was stealth, coming silently and in the dark. My puppy couldn’t see it until it was almost upon her. Isn’t that how Satan often likes to work in our lives? I think “slither” is a good description. He doesn’t usually “show up boldly” in ways that we can immediately see or recognize him. He tends to sneak up silently, like a snake “hidden in the grass” or the darkness.

     But the good news is that God has not left us unawares! In fact, He has told us to be on our guard. God’s Word describes Satan in many ways, including as a serpent. He also describes him as a lion, seeking whom he may devour. That is why God has instructed us to daily put on His armor, stay alert, and pray. Then we will be able to stand!!! (See Ephesians 6:10-18.)

     The second analogy I see is the fact that God hears the cries of His children. I am so thankful that I heard the cries of my “little girl”, and was able to come to her rescue! I would have been heartbroken if she had come to any harm. And, as much as I love her, I know that God loves His children so much more! He always hears us when we call out to Him, and He is faithful to respond and answer as He sees fit.

What About You?

Do you have a relationship with God as your Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ? If you do, you can be assured that He hears your cries. If you do not, I would encourage you to turn to Him today. Then, as you face life’s blessings and challenges, you can put on the full armor of God each day and be at peace, mindful that He is in control and that He is a loving Father who always hears the cries of His children!!!