The other week Dad, Hannah, and I were fishing out at Braley Pond (emphasis on fishing not catching!). While Hannah and I were walking along the trail that circles the pond, I looked down and saw this three foot copperhead in the middle of the path. I was about a stride or so from stepping right on top of it and Hannah, who was walking ahead of me, must have stepped over it without seeing it! We are so thankful for the Lord's gracious protection! How Hannah did not get bitten was nothing short of miraculous.
I got a long branch and and swept the copperhead off the trail and down the hill toward the pond. Needless to say, we were very watchful of our steps after that!
Afterward, I thought of this very appropriate Scripture passage from Psalm 91:
"For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot."
We thank God for the special care and provision He gives to His children!
"When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
-Jonathan
Praise the Lord everyone is okay! Soon all those nasty snakes will be hibernating for the winter.
Victoria
Posted by: victoria | Friday, September 23, 2011 at 01:34 PM
We all just read this and are so thankful that Hannah and even the others were protected from this snake...The Lord is good to watch over those who are His... We have a had a few occasions of our own where we have seen the Hand of protection over the children with Rattlesnakes one of which was a baby and even more Dangerous and Deadly...Have a Blessed weekend.. :)
Angelia
Posted by: RubyJeans | Friday, September 23, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Okay...I don't know if I was just so taken in by the whole snake thing or if I have just completely forgotten how to spell... : ) but I Misspelled my VERY own name... :)
Angelina
Posted by: RubyJeans | Friday, September 23, 2011 at 03:53 PM
Thank you, LORD for taking care of Hannah!
Just this past summer, Ben ran in from mowing and asked for the book on snakes. Being a curious Mom, I asked why?
His reply startled me.
He stated without blinking an eye,"I just mowed a copperhead that crawled across the deck of the mower by the wood pile." Sure enough, what was left of him showed the clear markings of a copperhead. We, too, thanked the LORD for protecting Ben.
Posted by: Leslie from Virginia | Friday, September 23, 2011 at 05:21 PM
That is one healthy looking snake. I can't believe you took a branch and swept it off of the path. I would have died of a heart attack!!!!
Posted by: Bobbi | Friday, September 23, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Your poor mom! I'm surprised she let you post these pictures! Our record snake was 3' long and 3" thick...about like yours. So thankful the Lord protected you both. Our barefooted neighbor stepped on one while she was visiting...but wasn't bitten. I've also heard several stories of folks getting bitten on riding mowers. Always wear boots!
Posted by: Kathie | Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Well- this scared me to death! Praise God that you all remained safe- I'm so thankful Hannah was not harmed--
I was on snake alert ( and bear alert!!) the whole time we were hiking out west!
Vicki
Posted by: Vicki | Friday, September 30, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Mercy! That is one big snake! Praise God that you all did not get bitten..that would have been really bad..I was bitten when I was 14yrs old by a copperhead and it was horrible. I'm glad you are ok.
Posted by: Julie | Friday, September 30, 2011 at 05:40 PM