Real Life Reflections

I have my very own personal gremlin. Chances are that you do too. I've named mine Mr. Siffilate - Siffi for short. His name means "whisper," and that's exactly what he does. He whispers to me, reminding me of my shortfalls and failings. He tells me why I can't do the things that are in my heart to do. Like write. Siffi is somehow related to Wormwood (of The Screwtape Letters). They may even be brothers. I haven't checked that deeply into either's ancestry to know for sure. It's not all that important. Siffi is a little guy. He looks like . . . well, like a gremlin. He's small and furry and a little round (he tends to like doughnuts and fast food). When you first meet him, you might even think he's cute. He has a killer smile that draws you in, and then he starts talking. Oh! He has such a smooth tongue and knows how to use it! I could just listen to him all day. It's almost as if he hypnotizes me. I become enamored with his voice. I can'

The giant sycamore lets go The leaf flutters Stalls Flutters again Falling ever so slowly Gently Patiently To the ground Beneath the tree Suddenly Unexpectedly A gust of wind Snatches it With its strong arm Carries it off To flutter And fall Somewhere Far from the giant sycamore

The river overflowed its banks, the water rushing wildly downstream as if in a hurry to escape some unseen fate. It carried with it the broken limbs and branches from woody plants upstream that had dared to stand in its way. The trees that, at other times of the year, lined the edges of the of the river making a graceful canopy over a serene and gently flowing cascade of water, now stood in the midst of this tempestuous scene with branches barely visible above the rapids that threatened to uproot them. Anyone could see that now was not the time to attempt a crossing. It was deadly, espeically with all the women and children. They weren't in such a hurry that they couldn't wait a few weeks or even months until the water receded and flowed within its banks once again. Yet that wasn't the plan. They'd been told to pack up and be ready to cross. So they did. Each family stood waiting, and when the Ark of Lord passed in front of them, they fell into step behind it. God had k