I have often said only certain things happen here in East Tennessee. One great example of this happened many years ago.
My Mamaw Jo got up one morning and went to the kitchen to start her coffee. That was usually the first thing she did. On this particular morning, she noticed stuff lying on her kitchen counter that wasn’t there the night before. She looked closer at them, which sent her into a state of panic. With what she thought it was, I really don’t blame her.
She immediately called my uncle and my stepfather. “There’s a giant rat in the house! I have never seen such large droppings! They’re all over the kitchen counter. You all need to get here now and find it!”
I don’t think they totally believed her at first. It wasn’t that they doubted it being a rat, they didn’t think it was a giant one. But when they saw the stuff on mamaw’s counter, they were a little taken back. They searched the kitchen and didn’t find anything. Then they went into the bathroom where they heard a hissing sound. Behind the washer and dryer was a possum. A cornered and angry possum.
“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians: 4:27 (KJV)
In case you’re wondering how it got into the house in the first place, my grandmother had inadvertently left their back door cracked. The possum politely waddled his way inside through it. You see, it was easy for him to get in, but it wasn’t going to be easy for them to get him out. Actually, the same thing can be said for the devil. He likes to find a way into your life and then he doesn’t want to leave. The thing to do is not to let him in to begin with. Guard all the cracks in your life and your heart.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
My mother called me and told me what was going on at Mamaw’s. At first, I wanted to go down and see everything going on, but then I realized I would just be in the way. My uncle and stepfather managed to get it out of the house. They caught it in a trap and took it out to the field, where they let it go.
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy all the adventures East Tennessee has to offer. Even the ones with possums.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.