This fall God has been exceedingly generous to the acorn-eating critters in our neighborhood. Though last year there was nary a one, this year it’s been a challenge to walk around the block without skidding out on the marble-like nuts.

With millions of acorns, you’d think the squirrels would be content to-the-max, toting as many as they can hold into their winter nests. But they’ve been after something else, too:

pumpkins.

Maybe it’s the protein-veggie combo they like, but no pumpkin is safe from their efficient nibbling.

That is, until now.

Last week I finally figured out why one squirrel kept visiting our deck railing. Virtually every day he’d return, looking steadily at the 3 pumpkins atop our picnic table. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t help himself until one day when Mary and I watched together. “He could easily jump over there,” she said. “So why doesn’t he?”

Maybe, because the table is glass, he wasn’t sure it was solid enough to hold him. He tried climbing from below, coming within inches of his prize, but still couldn’t get there.

Once in a while in our human lives we chase after what seems to be “good fruit,” doing everything in our power to get it. Again and again circumstances keep us from our goal and we get irritated, wondering why we can’t connect with something so special. We might practice perseverance (knowing that’s a good thing) but still fail.

After that we may get angry at God for frustrating our efforts, knowing he could let us have what we wanted if he’d just make a few simple changes. We see our quest as beneficial, a blessing. Never once does it occur to us it might be otherwise. We don’t consider that the circumstances keeping us from our prize might be God-in-disguise, protecting us from disaster.

In our limited understanding, we often don’t see that what looks so good from a distance may lead straight to destruction. Scripture is dotted with examples: Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba, Jonah, Samson, Judas, and many others. When they ignored God’s warnings and insisted on their own way, catastrophe followed.

So, if we’re going “nuts” trying to get to something we can’t, we might do well to look closely at all that will happen if we do get it. It’s possible we’ll find ourselves thanking God for keeping “success” at bay.

As for our pumpkins, on November 27 I plan to carry them to the yard so our persevering squirrel can have his fill. After all, there’s nothing wrong with abundant vegetables on Thanksgiving Day.

“I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. (Psalm 119:59)

Praying with Mary

1. In going through memorabilia today, I’m aware of the strong spiritual heritage I have and am truly thankful.
2. Our entire extended family will gather for Thanksgiving in Arkansas where daughter Julia’s family lives. Please pray for strength and energy sufficient to this wonderful time.