Thought for the Day

How Snakes Lost Their Legs

I (Addiction) will leave you with you a parable about taking direction, accepting responsibility, and letting go: three things you probably won’t do.        

One day God brought candy for the animals.  He told them they could eat as much as they wanted, but they had to wait until He returned from the fields with the oxen.  While He was gone, the animals sat down far away from the candy so they wouldn’t be tempted to eat any.  The snake, who still had legs then, walked up to the big pile of candy.
            “Better get away from there,” the crow said.
            “I’m just going to look at it,” the snake replied.
            “Better put that candy down,” the owl warned.
            “I’m just going to feel it,” the snake hissed.  The snake unwrapped the candy.
            “Better put that away” the eagle shouted.
            “I’m just going to smell it,” the snake said.  Snakes smell things with their tongues.  Just as the snake was about to lick the candy, a booming voice rang out.
            “I told you no candy until all the animals were gathered,” God said.  His voice shook the mountains.  The terrified snake ran for a hole in the rocks to escape God’s anger. 
            Usually, the snake could find a hole just big enough to squeeze through, but too small for whatever was chasing him.  This time he picked the wrong hole.  He ran into the hole with so much force that he scraped his arms and legs right off.  God, being merciful, immediately touched the snake and healed the wounds where his limbs had been. 
            “But God,” the snake said, “why don’t you restore my arms and legs?” 
            “I will always be here to heal your wounds, but sometimes what is done is done.” 
            The snake angrily slithered away.  He fathered babies, who had babies, who had babies.  Some of these snakes were grateful that God had healed their great-great-great granddaddy snake.  They lived peaceful lives.  Others were very bitter, and couldn’t see how their great-great-great granddaddy had caused his own downfall.  They got so bitter that their mouths filled with venom.  To this day, these snakes poison people foolish enough to go near them.  I love snakes.

 My Favorite Character Defects: The next workbook written by your Addiction