This weekend, I woke up to a baby squirrel in my backyard. With four dogs and one cat, we can’t just leave little critters unattended. Our sweet ‘monsters’ could easily mistake him as a snack! I scooped him up to check him out. He appeared to be healthy. He wasn’t cold, had fur, but his eyes were still closed. Knowing that allowing his mother to come back for him would be the best case scenario for him, we put our animals away and set him out in the yard. Every few minutes he would cry and squeal, making a fuss! This was great! This could help his momma come back and find him.
But alas, no one came. Google told me squirrel mom’s should return within two hours and we were nearing the end of that time. As the heat of the afternoon increased,I scooped him up and brought him inside. I thought if his momma won’t come back, I will be his new momma. I told my husband Eric, we now have a son, his name is Henry, and he is perfect.
I cuddled with him on the couch and kept him safe and warm. And Eric rolled his eyes but did his best to act like I wasn’t acting crazy. He would ask every so often “How’s Henry doing?” I know acknowledging his ‘name’ was Eric doing his best to support me in this endeavor.
But Eric was also very hesitant to just add a squirrel to our mix. A squirrel was not meant to live in our home. A squirrel wouldn’t thrive in our house. Poor Henry would be restrained from living his best, intended life. Not to mention our cute ‘monsters’ that would always want to eat him as a snack!
A couple hours went by and I reluctantly agreed with Eric there is no way we can add another one of God’s creatures to our house...not at this time, at least. We began looking into rescue operations. I found a great resource through Texas Parks & Wildlife. They have a list of capable, licensed individuals who help rehabilitate wildlife!
I reached out to 3 in the area and waited.
As the temperature outside began to cool down I thought it would be worth a shot to place the squirrel outside again. Maaaaybe his mom would come back and care for him. It was a longshot. It was way past the “two hour” window. This time we placed lots of pecans around him, enticing squirrels to come close and hopefully see him!
Within 15 minutes, a squirrel came and took him home. Eric jokes that maybe he was squirrel-napped but I’m choosing to believe he is with his family again - ha! Either way, the squirrel is with other squirrels living in community once again.
Sometimes I feel like I’m Henry. I’ve lost my way. I’m screaming out. And it appears that no one is listening. My friends, my family, and even God. I then allow myself to get ‘scooped up’ by something new. Something that appears inviting and welcoming - and if nothing else - distracts me from my despair. But none of it satisfies.
This could be numbing my mind or finding distraction with anything else (shopping, binge watching tv, books, hobbies, addictions, gossip, etc). Anything that will help me ignore my problems and run away from hard relationships, tough conversations, sad experiences, or deep conviction. They aren’t all terrible things - but all of them distract me from where I should be headed.
None of these things will help me thrive. None of these things are going to help me grow. None of these things will help me live the life God has intended for me.
Instead, I might need to wait out in the yard. Crying, and squealing, waiting for God to come scoop me up and bring me to safety.
It’s easy to feel unheard. To feel like our cries and our prayers go unanswered.
Often squirrels get left behind because the momma has gone off to build a new nest. But the momma’s come back for their babies. They have every intention of coming back and bringing their little one home with them.
I believe God is out there creating our nest. Not only our eternal one in heaven...but even here and now, God is preparing new places for us. Places we have yet to see or understand. And while we wait it can be scary and make us feel like we are alone. But God is going before us, preparing the way, and ready to guide (carry) us there. God hears our cries. God just might be waiting for the right moment to move and help me live the life I’m intended to live.
A Prayer from Psalm 4 (ESV):
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Written By: Rachel Moraw