Isaiah 55:8 – "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. (NIV)

Recently, I wrote a devotional about how concerned I had been about a little black squirrel sitting alone all day on a bare branch in the drizzling rain. I couldn't get it out of my mind, and I kept wondering why its mate had deserted him, or worse still, wondering if she had been killed by some animal. I finally came to the conclusion that I had to quit thinking about it. Since it had impacted me so strongly, however, I wondered if God possibly wanted to teach me something through it all.

Given my deep love for nature, I tend to anthropomorphize a great deal; that is, I attribute human qualities to animals. Sometimes, it can create a problem. It is then that I must remember that God cares for all of His creatures and knows what He's about. I realize that many of the questions that we have about life will have to remain unanswered until He is ready to give an explanation. In this instance, He graciously did.

A few weeks had passed by very quickly since that occurrence, and I had finally put the squirrel situation out of my mind. Then, suddenly the missing squirrel was back, and now there were three.

The third one was much smaller, and it was obviously a baby. Mother had evidently been very busy. Now, it was her job to teach the new addition everything a squirrel needs to know about life. Soon, they were all tearing around busily scrounging for food. I could quit fussing and thank God for His patience with me. There was only one drawback to my happiness: my lawn was more littered than ever with peanut shells!

So once again came my usual question, What did all this fussing teach me?

May I share it with you, dear reader, and ask you to consider His answer along with me?

To begin with, it was a matter of trusting the Scripture that tells me, "As for God, his way is perfect" (2 Samuel 22:31a NIV). If our minds are constantly open to the whispers of His Holy Spirit, instead of forever asking "Why?" we will be greatly blessed as we obey His leadings. It seems like such a simple conclusion, yet it is one of the most profound truths that we will ever learn.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to be still and know that You are God. Help us to remember that You have a perfect plan for our lives. Help us to listen carefully, then to say "Yes" to Your will when You speak to us from Your holy Word. Help us to trust You enough to do what we have heard through Christ in us. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Y. Greer <sygreer11@gmail.com>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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