Venturing Out!

 

                                                                                                 

Anyone living in the foothills of California is well acquainted with the multitudes of ground squirrels inhabiting the area. With holes dotting the landscape as far as the eye can see, the pesky rodents create headaches for people trying to grow plants, trees and gardens.

Since moving to Michigan, we have become acquainted with several varieties of squirrels who unlike their distant cousins, live in the branches of the large maples and other trees that grow in this area. It is fascinating to watch them run along the telephone wires, climb straight up tree trunks, carefully make their way along the top of the barbed wire fence bordering the cemetery and our property and jump from one tree branch to the next with great dexterity.

Our local squirrels come in many different colors: red, black, brown, gray and various combinations of the above. Their large, leafy nests are securely fastened high in the treetops, easy to spot during the fall and winter months when the branches of the trees are bare.

Living in a densely populated area they are also pests, raiding bird feeders, gardens and sometimes even chewing holes in the roof of a house or garage. At least it appears that they are undesirable pests from the human point of view; but from the viewpoint of the small rodents, it all boils down to finding enough food for the moment and also for survival during the severe winter months.

After their frenzied food gathering during the summer and fall, things really slow down with the onset of winter. Squirrels don’t hibernate during the winter, but they do burrow down in their nests using their furry tails to cover their bodies and keep warm. Whereas we used to see them running all around the neighborhood, they are seldom out and about now.

A few days ago, I did spot one lone squirrel who had ventured out after a major snowstorm. I felt cold just watching him. He was crawling along an icy branch, having difficulty hanging on and almost fell while trying to reach for another one. Cold? Sick? Hungry?

Hopefully most squirrels have stored up enough food to last through the winter or at least long enough until the trees begin budding again. Their nests also provide safe places in which to raise their young.

Speaking of warm, cozy spaces, Al and I are grateful for our home, especially during these bitterly cold nights of winter. Well, the days aren’t much warmer, actually! It’s nice staying inside.

When our daughter called to ask if we had seen the display of Christmas lights set up in the church parking lot, we decided to go on the spur of the moment. Although it was the last night for the special event, it still wasn’t too late. And sitting in the car all bundled up with the heater on was doable!

            Once at the large parking lot, our car was directed to one entrance, then through a maze of aisles with decorated trees along both sides. It was beautiful, with thousands of lights twinkling in the dark night.

 By tuning in to a certain channel on the radio, we could listen to Christmas music sung by all of the church choirs ranging from pre-school age to adults. The music had been performed virtually at home by each choir member and put together by talented individuals—a major undertaking!

            Al and I ended up driving through the parking lot twice so that we could hear the entire musical part of the program. At the end, our car was greeted by volunteers who gave us candles and prepacked communion elements to use at home during the online Christmas eve service.

             One large glowing sign in front of a bright nativity scene stood out that night … “JOY.” Although happiness can be found inside our cozy nests, joy comes from reaching out—first to God, then to others. Lest we get too comfortable and lethargic this winter, may 2021 be a time for renewing our commitment to Christ and rededicating ourselves to serving Him. 

Happy New Year!

“Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9:23-25 NIV

 

                                            

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