Holey Mice

When all was quiet and I was peacefully at rest, a pesky thief came in the night to raid my cupboards. As I slept, I was unaware of the damage being caused in places out of view. An assault hidden from sight.

I was content to think all was well and unharmed. Meanwhile, a little raider was slowly gnawing away, making entry to a source of sustenance.

I could have noticed the signs. My cat certainly did. With his keen sense of hearing and smell he was stationed at the cupboard and would paw at its doors. A small skift of flour on the shelf was another slight indication.

Then, early one morning, I thought I heard a faint rustle. Cat poised at the ready, I opened the door to notice a bit of a mess. Dried beans ascatter, bits of pasta askew, a box with a small hole chewed in a bottom corner. The cat dove right in, wild with excitement. There he was - a little critter in a box of macaroni. I quickly set the infested box outside, disappointing poor Friskie.

I cleared out the cupboard, throwing out the contaminated food, and examined for entry. He must have been under the house and followed the pipes to the dishwasher, I reasoned. Problem solved.

Or so I thought.

Having experienced the invasion, I was now more familiar with the signs and my awareness was peaked. Attention sharpened, I was on the alert and the cat was parked at the cupboard, preying to replace the denied feast. Days passed and I started to feel relieved that he was a lone invader.

Preparing dinner one evening I instantly recognized the warning signs in another cupboard that I was not yet rid of my problem. I repeated the process in the new location; however, I could not detect any visible signs of entry. How could they have gotten in? I decided I would pull up the old contact paper to ensure better sanitation. Hidden underneath there were not only one but two holes in the bottom of my cupboard.

Once I had removed the source of their food from one location, they sought out another. I should have surmised my vulnerability and been more vigilant, more aggressive in seeking out any remainders and rid my home of them.

In the cruel elements of winter, they must have come seeking shelter and food. As I lay asleep at night they were chewing away at the foundation of my home, eventually gaining entry to pillage our source of food.

Do you see the relation to our spiritual lives? I sure do!

Did Jesus not say; “Be on your guard! Be alert!” and “Watch!”?

Of course He was not referring to mice getting into your house! His concern lies in matters of the heart and soul. His dwelling. But don’t little things assault our foundation of faith to enter and cause more damage? Thieves that gain access only to steal the nourishment and provision from our life in Christ? Invaders that weaken our structure and leave scars?

I am now aware that I am susceptible. I also know trouble can come when I least expect it. When I’m relaxed, comfortable, feeling immune, and not paying attention. I have the scars to prove it! Three small holes in the bottom of my cupboard. No one else can see them but I know they are there. Reminders to keep alert in the quiet nights of winter.





Dear Lord Jesus, Lover of my soul; Sharpen my senses, hone my awareness, keep me mindful to be on the alert. Strengthen me to guard against the influences outside of this dwelling that seek to destroy and take what belongs to You and You alone. Amen.