Song of Songs 2:15 (CSB) Catch the foxes for us — the little foxes that ruin the vineyards — for our vineyards are in bloom.

The morning started off well. Everything was going as planned. They started off the day with me and I was happy to have them, but something happened about an hour or so into our time together. To say who was to blame is hard, for I do not remember the exact moment when I realized there was a problem. Needless to say, I had a problem.

I was in mid-conversation with my second appointment of the day when I noticed. I tried to remedy the problem myself using subtle movements to not draw attention. I tried in vain to fix the issue, but no matter what method I employed, they were determined to go their own way.

I know I am not the only one this has happened to, and I am sure some will think it is no big deal. Yet I was uncomfortable and found it hard to concentrate on the conversation I was supposed to be in. Yes, my socks were rebelling, and I was loosing the battle. They both, in what appeared to be a synchronized mission, started turning their seams from the top of my toes where they belonged to a sideways slant running across my big toes, and drifting in a downward track, passed my second toe to the underside of my foot. This choke hold was sending panic signals up my leg to the stem of my brain begging for an intervention.

Concentration was difficult, and all I wanted to do was pull my shoes off and put the socks’ seams back in their rightful place. How awkward would it be for this wonderful saint of God to witness their pastor bend over, take both shoes off, and start a wrestling match with his socks? So, I did what every person who trusts in God does in situations like this – I said a prayer in my mind and asked God to help me get past this little aggravation in my day.

Why is it that life seems to bring little foxes into our everyday routines to ruin our vineyards? For me, the little things can sometimes cause me to struggle more and act in ways that I shouldn’t than any major offense or temptation can. I am convinced our enemy knows exactly what little foxes he can send into our everyday situations to make the biggest impact.

This is why you and I must be diligent to not let the little foxes ruin our witness. Little aggravations have a way of stacking up and causing us to react in ways we are not proud of. I feel confident that Jesus never struggled with the seam of His sock turning sideways on His toes, but I am sure He experienced a pebble or two in His sandals.

The writer of Hebrews says this – Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. Even in the little aggravations of life, He managed to make it through each of them without sinning. He refused to let the little foxes of life cause Him to stumble. That same power that lived in Him now lives in us. That means we too have the ability to keep our vineyards from being spoiled by little foxes.