The Squirrel

Proverbs 4:5 (MSG) Sell everything and buy Wisdom!  Forage for Understanding!  Don't forget one word!  Don't deviate an inch!

I have a foraging friend who lives outside of my office window in a tree beside the sinking pond.  I love watching him as he gathers his food and flits around from tree limb to tree limb.  Sometimes he catches me looking at him.  In those moments, I freeze and he becomes motionless too.  We stare at each other until I end up moving and then off he scurries.  The other day I had my camera out and actually captured one of our encounters.                                      

                                          

He's pretty cute for a rodent....don't you think?  Look closely at his cheeks.  Can you see how full they are?  In this picture, he was on his way back to his hole in the tree with a full load of loot to dump into his house.  He intrigues me.  I have studied his behaviors and found him to be very disciplined in his search and storing of food.  He ventures out of his hole in the tree at various times during the day, but evening seems to be his favorite.  When he first comes out into the open, it is obvious that he is scoping out his environment for danger.  His tail flicks this way and that as his eyes scan the horizon.  Once he is sure the coast is clear, he springs into action.  He dives down below the trees and starts digging and stuffing nuggets of nourishment into his cheeks.  After he fills his face, he carefully zig-zags back to his den.  About five minutes later he repeats the whole routine....  digging~stuffing~packing~dumping. 

I started thinking after I read today's verse that my search, understanding, and application of God's truths should be much like the squirrel's habits.  I need to dig deep into His Word to find understanding, much like the squirrel harvests his food.  Once I have found it, I need to pick it all up and pack it away in my heart to allow the Spirit of God to work through my life and bring about His glory.  See-the next time someone says you're acting "squirelly", you can say, "Why thank-you!"
Praying tonight for courage and the Lord's direction to continue steadfastly on His path without "deviating one inch."

Keep My Commandments

Proverbs 4:4 (ESV)
he taught me and said to me, "let your heart hold fast my words;  keep my commandments, and live.

Pretty clear direction....

A Prayer For My Children

Proverbs 4:3 (MSG)
When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

I remember the first time I held both of my precious children as though it were yesterday....talk about "pride and joy"!

Stick To His Plan

Proverbs 4:2(MSG)
for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.

"LET GO OF THE TREE AND SIT DOWN!"

My Daddy's Lessons

Proverbs 4:1 (MSG)
Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.

My Dad and I used to go fishing every year during the spring and summer months in his twelve foot John Boat.  He taught me a lot about life from the seats of  that boat.