Number Nine: Tranquility
Tranquility is thousands of little twinkle lights wrapped around the palm trees.
Tranquility is a bright little beach house away from home.
Tranquility is relaxing on the back porch with someone you love.
Tranquility is having time to paint your toe nails orange.
Tranquility is a cozy spot under the covers, sharing secrets.
Ahem.
Tranquility is not hearing your 7-year-old call from the bathroom,
“Mommy! There’s a dead lizard in here!”
Tranquility is not hearing your husband say, “It’s not dead! Where did it go?”
Tranquility is not hearing your daughters race downstairs shrieking, “It went into our bedroom!”
Tranquility is not hearing your husband calmly but seriously calling, “Honey, you better come up here.”
Tranquility is not seeing your husband, down on all fours, sheepishly looking up and quietly admitting, “I can’t find it. It’s just too fast!”
The Florida chameleon is tiny and fast but not exactly a threatening creature. It’s fun to spy one on the sidewalk or in the garden or even on the porch. But the thought of one creeping around in your bedroom while you sleep? Clearly that’s not a tranquil thought for most.
At bedtime, Laurel was especially worried about the chameleon sleeping in her room or crawling into her bed. Michael and I couldn’t offer her complete assurance that the lizard was gone. All we could do was pray that Laurel and Linnea would sleep well and not be disturbed by any lizards. So that’s just what we did.
“Do not be anxious about anything (even lizards in your bedroom), but in everything (even lizard emergencies), by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. (No lizards in our beds, please God). And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding (of where exactly said lizard might still be hiding), will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
By the way, we never saw that little chameleon inside again, thank God!
Click here to find out more about Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort in Marathon, FL. We highly recommend it, lizards and all.
Florida Keys Top 10 Series
Starlight Writer 
I allowed a chameleon to stay inside the rent house when I was working in Puerto Rico; he stayed on top of the fridge most days and helped out by eating flys in the kitchen.