Monday, February 6, 2012

"Who Let the Pythons Out?"

Read that title with the "Who let the Dogs out?" tune.

 Photo by Mike Rochford of University of Florida

Pythons are taking over our Everglades. Please watch the video below.



http://www.tampabay.com/components/video/pythons-are-taking-over-the-everglades/1423833200001/2652468001

Wildlife officials say people who've owned these pythons as an exotic pet let them go in the wild when they get too big. Now they are eating the little creatures. Rabbits, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other mammals are hard to find there. Pythons are eating the wading birds and even alligators! Officials know, because they find them in their stomachs!

They don't know how many pythons are out there, but experts estimate that thousands to hundreds of thousands could be slithering about. Eewuuuuu!

What started out as a "pet" now is a threat.

"Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, here's what you do; say nothing evil or hurtful; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; but he turns his back on those who do evil things." 1 Peter 3:10-12 (MS)

What "pythons" do I let go when I'm tired of holding them in? Gripes, sarcasm, self-pity, self-entitlements, criticism...? When those pythons are small, they're easy to keep caged, but let them out they will eat all the little furry, fluffy, flying fragile things around and grow large and ugly.

Lord, help me to keep control of those things that would hurt others, me or You.

14 comments:

Nick said...

Talk about a snake in the grass

Autumn said...

I literally got the shivers seeing the photo. Great way to turn this story into a lesson for us all. Blessings.

LadyFi said...

Really? Fascinating, but I can imagine they threaten the balance of nature...

Kathy Cassel said...

I think I'll just stay away from there....

Diane said...

Aaack!

Jean Wise said...

I read about this but hasn't seen that photo. YUCK! You know my uncle and aunt and all my cousin lived in Florida and when we were little and visited, they would ask why they never traveled to Ohio. Their parents told them because we had too many wild bears and lions on the loose up here. mmm, I think you can keep your pythons down there!! LOL

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, yuck!

Lord, forgive me and cleanse me.

Anonymous said...

I saw this on the news - lawd lawd! LAWD!

Karen said...

Yep, Nick. Scaaaary!

Autumn, I don't like snakes. shiver...

Lady Fi, yes they have become a terrible meanace.

Kathy and Diane-my feelings too!

Jeanie, you can come visit-we just won't go there.

Jeanette, Amen. :)

Kat, I just couldn't believe how out of control these things are; thus this post!

Tanya said...

Karen,
Thanks for stopping by! UGHHHHH I said when I saw that python!!!! Wow!

I have a new grand daughter! Come by and see her!
Tanya

Dave said...

They even eat alligators? That's scary! - Dave

Shanda said...

WOW!
Great analogy on how our sinful emotions can grow out of control if we do not keep them contained.

Leslie Basil Payne said...

I will never forget the day when as an elementary school teacher, there was an assembly program during which I had to pet a python. Ugh! (Thankfully it had recently eaten a pig.)

Nice to "meet" another contributor to "God Encounters." Well done.

Auntie Cake said...

I so read it singing that song even before I scrolled down. Too funny!

And so very sad about irresponsible pet owners. I kind of don't mind snakes, but I am glad I don't have to be on the lookout for one of those in my chicken coop!
Kate