Hey....I'm back. As you know, I have been super busy with life and special events. This week I had occasion to be with my family at our annual beach fest. We call it a beach fest but in reality, we began this a couple of years ago and it is really a family reunion. The first year it fell on my father's birthday and as such has continued to be "his" celebration.
I have had little time for myself lately let alone relaxing. Despite having to make a trip back to Kingwood during the week for training, I opted to go and be with my family and spend some time with them. After the training Thursday, I returned back to Galveston.
Our family is made up of many personalities and with each passing year, things and people change. One thing that has not changed is my relationship with my older brother. For five years, we were the only two. We are thirteen months apart and very close. Life threw us many curves but we always stayed in the game.
I had not seen him for a couple of months since recently, I have missed most of our Sunday dinners. He lives at the opposite end of the city [and then some] so we don't see each other as often as we would like. One thing that I discovered however, is that our love and respect for each other remains the same....even in pranks.
Last night, I saw my brother sitting at the table with my sisters and a niece and a nephew. He had his back to a window and was facing the den. The temptation was too great. I picked up a monster "pump up" super soaker water gun. I had already used it earlier when I engaged in battle with my sister-a battle he had missed.
I picked up that neon colored weapon and watched as he froze in surprise. I have always respected my brother but I had one mission in mind. He looked at me and our eyes met as if to say "You wouldn't dare!" but dare is what I had in mind. I waved that water filled soaker to taunt him as a small smile appeared on his face and before he could get a word in, I fired it hitting him in the face, striking his glasses and the window behind him.
The table cleared as if Wayatt Earp had squared off against a Cowboy in Tombstone. It was me and him....the look I got was one of "the audicity little sister!"
The problem was that I spent the entire night running from the potential harm that could befall me if I didn't watch my back.
This morning I woke up watching my every move. You see, I had taken every super soaker I could get my hands on and hidden them in my room. Everyone knew that if I struck my beloved brother, that no one was safe!
That's how it is with the enemy. He walks around with a similar weapon, waving it around, taunting you....knowing he will use it just to get you. You can shout "You wouldn't dare" all you want but he has one thing in mind, taking you down!
You may be saying "but I love Jesus." All the more reason to strike at you. I struck my brother out of love and in a friendly fashion but the enemy has no mercy. In the end, my brother and I will hug and it will be over but the enemy's objective is to take out soldiers that are effective in the kingdom of God.
My brother came into an atmospere of relaxation and fun. He was not prepared to be "blasted" by a secret weapon. So are we in life sometimes. We become complacent and oblivious to the fact that the enemy does not sleep.
The enemy gets his "numbers" when he takes down the children of God. I would offer you this advice-do not let go of the Word of God. That is the sharpest, most effective weapon you can use. Even if the enemy lurkes around in darkness waiting for your weakest moment, you can conquer him with the Word of God. Much like I slept with one eye open, the enemy can not go against the Almighty, One True God! He is afraid of retaliation for striking one of God's own.
So the next time the enemy calls your name and you feel like "he will take you out" remember that God is on your side and say to the enemy "You wouldn't dare!"
"Be alert, and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. " 1 Peter 5:8
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