Acting Squirrelly

Acting Squirrelly

Our breakfast table rests against a wall of windows that look out on the back porch.  Each morning a menagerie of birds and squirrels entertain us at the bird feeder hanging off the end of the porch.

One morning a young squirrel climbs onto the glider in the breezeway and sits on his haunches, paws clasped in front of him like a preacher surveying his congregation. I snicker behind the window After he is convinced all is safe, he hops down to investigate the scraps under the feeder.

After he leaves, I trickle a handful of seed along the outside windowsill, then return to the breakfast table to wait. Sure enough he returns, and the cheeky guy leaps up and noodles along the trail on the other side of the glass.

He discovers a sunflower seed a foot away from me. Sitting, he rolls the prize over and over in his tiny paws until he finds the right approach to crack it. Without thinking, I silently clap my hands in delight.

He whirls and flees.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday he visits my offerings. Each morning, the same thing happens. I shift in my chair, he flees for his life. I lift my coffee cup, poof, he disappears.

I’m the one who puts his food out and laughs in pleasure at his antics, yet he fears me, his benefactor.

What a shame. If only he understood my good will, but he cannot. He doesn’t know me.

That thought echoes in my mind.

Heavenly Father, I know You. Your Son became like me so that I could know You in my head and heart and experience.

Wow.

You intentionally care and provide for me, and I am able to give you pleasure, because Jesus made peace between us.

When I act squirrelly, responding to You in defense and fear, please remind me that I know You and can relax in Your love for me.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand.” Romans 5:1, 2a

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

2 thoughts on “Acting Squirrelly”

  1. Maria Morandini

    Thank you for sharing your insight so. It’s wonderful to see you use your God given talent with words in such a way. You are a contemplative in action!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top