Creepy Little Creatures

This picture is terrifying.

Why?

I'll zoom in for you...

Then you'll see.

Just seconds before this photo was taken, Nathan had absolutely no idea that a scorpion was sitting right beside his foot, its long, arched stinger ready to strike.

The next picture?

The sting.

He instantly realized what had happened, grabbed his foot, and leaped into the air.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone jump that high!

The look on his face says it all.

Poor guy.

Thankfully, Nathan was just fine. He had some brief pain and a little swelling, and before long he was back to normal.

Me?

Not so much.

These creepy little eight-legged creatures completely freak me out.

We've lived in our home for six years and have never had a problem with scorpions, and I pray one never decides to wander inside.

Because if it does...

I'm moving.

I'm not even kidding.

Just ask B.T.C.

When we were first married and living in our apartment, I saw my very first scorpion.

Let's just say...

I'm not especially proud of how I handled it.

It was bad.

Very bad.

I had never seen anything like it before. (Remember, I'm not from the desert!)

My sweet new husband wasn't nearly as concerned as I was.

Trying to calm me down, he said,

"Why are you crying? It's just a bug."

Well...

That did it.

I looked him square in the eye and blurted out,

"It's not a d* bug!"**

And then...

I cried even harder.

Not because of the scorpion.

Because I had just said what felt like the first naughty word of my entire life!

(Sorry, kids. I guess this is how you found out your mom isn't perfect.)

Please don't judge.

I learned something about myself that day.

Fear has a funny way of making us say and do things we'd never expect.

Thankfully, years later, when Nathan got stung, I managed to stay cool, calm, and collected.

Well...

On the outside.

After all, I had an audience.

My kids.

Their cousins.

Someone had to keep it together.

On the inside?

I was every bit as terrified as the first time.

Truth be told...

I still am.

In fact, after that first scorpion encounter in our apartment, I had everything packed within a day.

We moved.

Seriously.

And one more thing...

About six months ago I attended a scripture class, and the instructor asked a thought-provoking question:

"If Christ appeared right now and you could ask Him one question, what would it be?"

My mind raced with dozens of possibilities.

I couldn't narrow it down to just one, so I didn't answer.

If I had the chance to answer today...

I think I'd finally know exactly what I'd ask.

Why... scorpions?