Do We Remain In The Cage When the Door is Open?

Good Morning, Readers!  It's another beautiful day in the Sunshine State!  This is where I sit and have morning coffee.  I am surrounded by lush greenery.  Yesterday, I trimmed the plants and washed the rockers!  Lookin' good!

I awoke this morning to Cricket and Teddy barking their heads off!  I walked into the kitchen and Tim said that they were barking because a possum got in the critter cage they use to trap armadillos.  I could see the cage from the house ... the possum was curled up at the very end.  Tim had opened the cage door and the possum refused to get out of the cage.

I got my tennis shoes on and we dashed out to check on the little guy.  Of course, I took my camera with me.  The cage door was wide open for him to get out ... but, instead he had his butt to the door and stood there teeth bared looking at Tim and I.  Tim gently poked him with a stick to get him to move but he stayed his ground just glaring at us.

Walking back to the house, I thought, Holy Cow (!), often times we are like that.  Do we think we are safe sitting in a cage trapped while the door is open to freedom?  Do we hiss at people when they gently try to nudge us out of our own cage?  Often times, we think the known is better than the unknown.  At least that's where we are comfortable.





My Great-Grandfather on right in his Civil War uniform!

I come from a long line of trail blazers, fighters, and entrepreneurs.  The patriarchs of the generations were adventuresome and not afraid to fight for what they believed in.  I can see myself in them when I was a child ... always looking for that next adventure!  Then, I changed ... someone or something squelched my spirit and I became more cautious ... more unsure of my own thinking. 


I entered bad relationships not knowing why I was so drawn to them then stayed far too long hoping that "things would change".  Even when the cage door was open, I chose to remain trying to be a better person so that "they" would love me.  I repeated the scenario of my childhood so many times, it's hard to count.  FINALLY, with the help of a trauma counselor, I was able to see the light of day and was able to open my mouth and start making better decisions.  Now, I remind myself that it's okay to leave a cage when I am threatened or not treated properly.  When I choose to remain, it is a conscious decision not a subconscious one.  I like that!!

There's something else I have never understood ... why would someone choose to stay in bondage to sin and a life of emptiness when Jesus is holding out his hand to freedom?  He truly has been my way, my truth and my life..  It is because of his protection that I am a survivor and am able to write my story.  I can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

—Hebrews 13:6 

My time here in Florida has been a time of rejuvenation and joy.  I go to bed with a smile on my face and wake up feeling rested wondering what the day will hold.  I seem to be able to handle hiccups in my life with ease; i.e., getting medication transferred to a pharmacy in Wesley Chapel, having contacts (that I thought I packed) sent overnight, knowing when I needed some extra rest and on and on...  Boy, I didn't realize how blind I am without my contacts ... I couldn't see to read, write, or polish my nails...  Good thing that I can make the type bigger on my computer so I can do my blog and stay connected to family and friends!

Bianca & Katrina

One of Katrina's little friend's mother went into premature labor last night, so Bianca spent the night here.  What a sweet little girl!  I am praying that her mom and baby sister are doing okay this morning.  They were up early, chattering, singing their Treble Makers song, and riding scooters.  What energy!  It was so nice to be able to give them hugs and wish them a fun day!  It is my belief that children should be able to leave for school unencumbered by worry, stress, and hunger.  Ever just listen to the laughter of a child?  Ohhhh...what a gift they are to all of us.

Hamilton Elf & Mr. Possum

Hamilton Elf decided to go out and see for himself what the situation was with Mr. Possum.  Like Tim and I, he couldn't figure out why he would choose to stay in the cage while the wonderful woods were beckoning him.  Hamilton whispered to me, "That possum needs more than a little push!"  Tim decided to use a long handled fork (used to cook hot dogs) to nudge him out while tipping the cage.  The possum tumbled out.  Wouldn't you think that he would head for the woods?  Nope, that crazy possum wanted back into that cage!

How many times, have we found freedom only to want to get right back into the same situation?  I am holding up my hand.  Anyone out there joining me?  That's insanity at it's best!!



Mr. Possum wants back in the cage...

 Isn't it strange how the incident with the possum struck such a chord with me?   Possums have a hard time seeing in the daytime so maybe that was what was prohibiting him from running into the woods.  Gosh, we're like that too, if we can't see exactly where we're going in our freedom, it's hard to move on.  That's where faith comes in!!

I hope that you have a wonderful day!  I'm going to stick my head out and drink in some of the fresh air around me ... You enjoy your day, too, and always know that I am loving you and praying for you!

May the laughter of children fill your heart with joy this day and always!