Heidi M Parker

“I once heard a great story about choices. A woman was walking along the road one day when a snake crossed her path. The snake stopped, turned to her and said, “Please lovely lady, please pick me up.” The woman looked at the snake and said, “No way. I’m not picking you up. You’re a snake. I know what snakes do. You will bite me.” The snake replied in a seductive tone, “Oh beautiful lady. I am just a lonely snake looking for a little warmth. You have that beautiful cloak around you. All I want is a little hug. Can you just give me a little hug? That’s all I need. I am just a little, old, lonely, snake. Please, please pick me up?” The woman looked dubiously at the snake, and replied, “You’re kidding right? Do you really think I am that stupid? I’m not picking you up. You’re a snake. You will bite me, I know it. Forget it.” “But I am not like every other snake. I am a good snake. I don’t bite people, especially a lovely lady such as you. I am just cold and you have that beautiful warm cloak. All I want is a little hug, just for a moment. Please. Please. Take pity on me.” The lovely lady suddenly felt compassion for the snake and said, “So. That’s all you want? A little hug? That’s it? And if I pick you up, you promise you won’t bite me?” The snake said, “Of course not. If you pick me up, I give you my word, I will not bite you.” “Really? I have your word? You won’t bite me?” the lovely lady repeated. “Really. You have my word.” the snake replied. The lovely lady thought for a moment and then said, “What the heck. It will only be for a moment. He gave me his word.” She picked up the snake and wrapped him in her cloak. At that moment, the snake struck her with his fangs, right on the neck. “Ouch! That hurt! What did you do that for?” the lady exclaimed, as she threw the snake on to the ground. “You gave me your word you wouldn’t bite me?!” The snake hissed and laughed, “Lovely lady, what do you expect? I’m a snake. Snakes bite. That’s what snakes do. It’s our nature. You knew I was a snake when you picked me up.” At that, the snake slithered off into the bush leaving the lady to die by the side of the road.” 👉🏼💝 Boundaries are necessary, especially for those of us who are empathetic and compassionate, with the gift of mercy. Beloved, guard your heart. Trust the discernment the Lord gives us. The enemy’s oldest deception is to make us doubt…”did God really say that?” Don’t fall for it. Not today satan. 🥊 Today’s take away: Pay attention to your discernment. Don’t pick up snakes. 🙅🏼‍♀️🚫🐍 📖 Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬ ‭ “Now, remember, it is I who sends you out, even though you feel vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes yet as harmless as doves.”