Squirrel Watching
I recently bought a bird feeder, filled it with bird seed,
and stilled myself to watch the birds. After
some extra stressful situations at work, I needed some relaxation and purposed
to spend some time in nature. The bible
talks about birds and uses them as examples of how He cares for us, so I reckoned
sitting on my patio watching birds to be spiritual restoration. A couple of weeks
of bird watching with the seed gradually decreasing was pure pleasure. Then one day the whole feeder was empty in a
single day. I refilled the feeder. In only a couple more days the seed disappeared
rather quickly once more. By this time,
I’m starting to realize there is more than birds visiting my bird feeder. And I started watching for squirrels. I didn’t
buy birdseed to feed the squirrels!
Those pesky squirrels were ruining my plans!
I can really relate to how a distraction can so quickly get me off course and then my day just crashes! My prayers and prayer requests to friends now include pleas for God to help me learn to focus better. My google searching includes articles to improve my focus. Guess you could say I’m focused on improving my focus.
Then today, I literally found myself staring out my office window watching a squirrel scouring the ground for nourishment. This squirrel really caught my attention! It was using its tail as an umbrella! It was quite interesting watching that persistent critter! Even the rain didn’t stop him from finishing his task! He just flicked that tail up, fluffed it out, and gathered his food. It’s so amazing that when God designed a squirrel, He included an umbrella of protection for it. Psalm 145:9 says, “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” What a vivid picture God gave to me while watching that squirrel.
In Genesis 22, we read of a time where God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. I’ve always loved verse 8, where Abraham answers Isaac’s question about why they didn’t bring a sheep to sacrifice. He says, “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son.” As the story continues, we see that God does provide a ram caught in the bushes at just the exact moment when the need was urgent. After Abraham and Isaac worship their God on that mountainside, the place is named Yahweh-Yireh which means “the Lord will provide.” I am reminded again and again of the goodness of the Lord. I’m reminded to trust God to provide all that I need in His perfect timing. Trusting in God’s provisions quiets the “squirrels” in my head and brings peace. If he provided the squirrel with an umbrella, why should I worry about the rain storms in my day to day. I must learn from this squirrel…keep focused on the task and let God handle the rain!
By the way, squirrels don’t like cayenne pepper and they will avoid it even if they don’t get to eat the birdseed. Hmm, maybe I should learn to avoid some things too! After all God instructs us in James 4:7, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippines 4:19
