The American Armadillo
Cute little thing, right? WRONG. The armadillo is a nuisance. He digs holes and destroys beautiful yards and the best of landscapes. He is mostly blind which means he meanders aimlessly through a yard, stopping wherever he chooses to leave a mess behind for someone else to clean up.
Armadillos don't just live in the States, there is a smaller version of them down in South America where they originated, and they also live in Mexico. Whereas our breed has 9 bands, the S.A. armadillo only has 3 which makes it convenient to roll into a little ball when in danger.
Armadillos don't just live in the States, there is a smaller version of them down in South America where they originated, and they also live in Mexico. Whereas our breed has 9 bands, the S.A. armadillo only has 3 which makes it convenient to roll into a little ball when in danger.
None of them can see very well, and they will flat run into things when in a hurry. They root in shady areas for insects and worms where the soil is moist, hunting earthworms in particular, and use their long tongues to slurp them up. The aggravating part that drives homeowners crazy is that they love to dig. Some holes (dens) that they dig are about a foot or two deep, but some have been found up to 20 feet deep. This is when they begin to annoy Floridians, in particular, because all kinds of OTHER animals can hide in holes that deep, and unwanted critters can fill a yard fast. Our armadillos out here in my neck of the woods seem to travel in twos, exasperating all efforts to keep a pretty lawn.
A female armadillo will always have 4 babies, and they are born with their eyes open. I must admit that they are cute when they are tiny, but before long, they grow up to be diggers.
A female armadillo will always have 4 babies, and they are born with their eyes open. I must admit that they are cute when they are tiny, but before long, they grow up to be diggers.
Armadillos also bleed incessantly when pierced. It is disgusting. They will jump 3-4 feet in the air when they are hurt, and the blood just spurts everywhere. It is almost comical to see them hurl themselves in the air in exaggeration.
See, there is nothing cute about them!
In Psalm 57 we read of David who is once again pouring his heart out to God. David many times went straight to God when facing temptation or when his life was in danger, and it is an excellent example for us to follow. In this chapter David is obviously being pursued. He speaks in verses 4-6 of being "among the lions", giving descriptions of men with teeth that tear and tongues as sharp swords. He describes a net that has been designed to catch him and a hole that is prepared just for him. However, he adds that this hole, in turn, captured the enemy.
See, there is nothing cute about them!
In Psalm 57 we read of David who is once again pouring his heart out to God. David many times went straight to God when facing temptation or when his life was in danger, and it is an excellent example for us to follow. In this chapter David is obviously being pursued. He speaks in verses 4-6 of being "among the lions", giving descriptions of men with teeth that tear and tongues as sharp swords. He describes a net that has been designed to catch him and a hole that is prepared just for him. However, he adds that this hole, in turn, captured the enemy.
4My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
6They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.
Remember the story where Saul and his armies were pursuing David, yet the Philistines were indeed hunting down Saul? The very cave where Saul just knew he had David captured, he was, in fact, delivered into the hands of David. God took care of His own, and in a moment of sure defeat, He proved himself mighty to David again as He had done many times before.
Sometimes when the "teeth" of the world tear into our belief in Creation by the One true God or tongues slash our faith in salvation through Christ alone, we get discouraged thinking no one will believe ever again. Yet, in many of our churches we ARE seeing people come to Christ. I have a preacher friend who has not missed one day in well over a thousand days in leading someone to Christ. It is a personal goal of his, and he asks God for a soul every day. Our job is to have faith and share what Christ did for us on the cross. He does the rest.
Sometimes when the sharp swords people use as tongues threaten to tear our reputations, we have to remember that God always wins. It was David's faith that God would deliver him that saw him through the constant fear of losing his life. Why should we be any different? Do you have an armadillo in your life who is constantly digging a hole for you to fall in? Do you have someone who is cute on the outside but they leave a bumpy wake everywhere they go, and sometimes the mess is yours to clean up? Well, to remove an armadillo the proper way, the advice given everywhere is to call a pest control to "re place" them somewhere else. Yes, we could just pick up a shotgun and take care of it ourselves, and I'm sure many who live out in the sticks do. However, the city people have to do it the right way, and not take matters into their own hands lest there be a fine. So, to "remove" your armadillo in your life, you call God in to fix the problem. We can't just eliminate people who are mean, although it does pass through our minds---I know it has mine MANY times. But that would throw us into the same category as the enemy, wouldn't it? God wouldn't get the glory.
Let's trust God and set the example for those watching us just like David did for us. God thought it important enough that He not only included David's story in the Bible, but he gave us the Psalm that shows David looked to HIM for deliverance.
Have a great day in the Lord!
5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
6They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.
Remember the story where Saul and his armies were pursuing David, yet the Philistines were indeed hunting down Saul? The very cave where Saul just knew he had David captured, he was, in fact, delivered into the hands of David. God took care of His own, and in a moment of sure defeat, He proved himself mighty to David again as He had done many times before.
Sometimes when the "teeth" of the world tear into our belief in Creation by the One true God or tongues slash our faith in salvation through Christ alone, we get discouraged thinking no one will believe ever again. Yet, in many of our churches we ARE seeing people come to Christ. I have a preacher friend who has not missed one day in well over a thousand days in leading someone to Christ. It is a personal goal of his, and he asks God for a soul every day. Our job is to have faith and share what Christ did for us on the cross. He does the rest.
Sometimes when the sharp swords people use as tongues threaten to tear our reputations, we have to remember that God always wins. It was David's faith that God would deliver him that saw him through the constant fear of losing his life. Why should we be any different? Do you have an armadillo in your life who is constantly digging a hole for you to fall in? Do you have someone who is cute on the outside but they leave a bumpy wake everywhere they go, and sometimes the mess is yours to clean up? Well, to remove an armadillo the proper way, the advice given everywhere is to call a pest control to "re place" them somewhere else. Yes, we could just pick up a shotgun and take care of it ourselves, and I'm sure many who live out in the sticks do. However, the city people have to do it the right way, and not take matters into their own hands lest there be a fine. So, to "remove" your armadillo in your life, you call God in to fix the problem. We can't just eliminate people who are mean, although it does pass through our minds---I know it has mine MANY times. But that would throw us into the same category as the enemy, wouldn't it? God wouldn't get the glory.
Let's trust God and set the example for those watching us just like David did for us. God thought it important enough that He not only included David's story in the Bible, but he gave us the Psalm that shows David looked to HIM for deliverance.
Have a great day in the Lord!
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