Squirrel Sign
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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. (1 Peter 5:7)
I love squirrels. Not everyone does, in fact many consider them a pest. But, I have always had an affinity for them. As a child, I’d watch my father feed them pecans on our deck railing. For the last three years of my late husband’s life he and I lived in a new development. The trees were little more than saplings and they attracted no squirrels to our yard. I realized how much I missed watching squirrels frolic.
Moving to an apartment after my husband died was a tough but necessary transition. Outside my window is a common area. The first day I was there, I saw a squirrel. My eyes welled with tears. It was a special sign from my loving Father telling me all would be well. I just knew it. That squirrel stayed around all week, and as I unpacked and settled in, I’d watch it romp and look for fallen acorns. Warm memories would envelop me like a fatherly hug.
The squirrel vanished when the landscapers came with their loud mowers and leaf blowers. But, every now and then when I am feeling a bit low, my squirrel will appear, perched on it’s haunches, the sun streaming through that fluffy tail. It is as if God is telling me, “I am still here, even when you can’t see Me. I love you.”
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter six, Jesus explains how God cares for the lilies and the birds. He cares for my squirrel as well, just as He cares for you and me. As I watch the squirrel forage acorns, I realize there are untold blessings I must seek out as well, lest I miss them. Blessings like a small furry creature popping into view just when I need a warm fuzzy feeling to boost my world-worn heart.
Father, Remind me that you see me, and that you are not unaware of my pain. Thank you for the comfort you promise and hope you give both for today and for tomorrow. Amen.
Question: What is your squirrel? How does God show you that He cares and is there?
Tags: 1 Peter 5:7, care, comfort, Devotional, God, Julie Cosgrove, squirrel, Women
13 Responses to “Squirrel Sign”
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That’s so awesome Trisha about the plane ticket! I love it when God surprises us like that!
Beautiful devo today Julie, thank you! There are 2 doves that visit my yard when i am going through tough decisions. i don’t see them any other time. Also, i just got a plane ticket offered to me from a complete stranger, to go see my very first grandbaby. They all live back in NY and i am here in the Southwest. Even though the situation is much more complicated and i need more then the plane ticket alone, i still feel it was God’s way of telling me He knows the heartache i’m going through and perhaps this is the beginning of some kind of plan He wants to fulfill. Bless you Julie!
dear em– prayer–father God i pray for healing physically and emotionally, i pray for favor for her for her job that she won’t lose it and for her emotionally for her to heal from her break up and you are the great phsycician, nothing is impossible with you God, let her feel your arms around her , please give her dreams and visions of you are with her during this time. i pray for a miracle for her in JESUS name amen, i am praying for you. God be with you at this time love sharon
Thank you for this, and especially the prayer at the end (which is often the part I most enjoy of the devotionals). I am going through a lot of pain right now, as I posted before – I was recently hit and run by a driver while crossing the street in NYC (God spared me) but am recovering from injuries and now my job is on the line (for taking a medical leave 1-2 months). I recently ended a relationship that was not the best for me, but was very hurt by it.. all right when I turned 30 just 2 weeks ago. I guess, I am going through a lot of pain, shift, uncertainty (again) & just trying to survive each day. Thank you continually for all your patient, kind words, encouragements & thoughts as this sister truly needs them! Keep those devotionals coming!
There are two ironic things about this devotional…1. is that I always repeat that verse when I’m praying for aspects of my life that may cause me worry..I cast everything before him for I know he cares for me My marriage, my children, my mother, the church, my job..it’s just to much to carry alone.
Though I haven’t seen one lately…There was a time that a red bird when fly from a tree onto my porch…or in front of my window…or fly across my windshield as a drove down the street…it always made me feel the presence of God..I would love to see one…Lord send your red bird to me.
sorry for the typing errors, was on my phone at church basketball game my grandsons practice
on my cardinal post
This reminds me of a time in early summer when I was standing outside church Sunday morning. I am a greeter there with a few other ladies. Well, it was during a time when I was dealing with something..going down a path that was a stronghold for me. And a beautiful little butterfly came and landed on my shoulder. I remember thinking that it was like God put his hand on my shoulder to let me know He was there. I’ll never forget it.
A cardinal. My mom use to watch them when she was dying of cancer, a week after her death my blinds flew up by themselves for no readon and perched in the tree was a cardinal as if saying I am with you what comfory the ‘ordlight sends us signs I just think we are sometimes to wrapped up to see
My squirrel is a great blue heron. When I first came to the Lord, I used to walk around a man-made lake; it was a small preserve for wildlife. That heron followed me around the lake and made His presence know to me.
Since moving, I have seen a great blue heron in fields or parks and smile, knowing He still follows me, making His presence know, telling me there is nowhere I can hide from Him.
It is comforting to know that He is with me always, guiding my path, whispering from behind, watching from above, silently standing guard, ever watchful, always loving, filling my soul as no one else can.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been trying to follow the Lord and his guidance in my life ever since I broke up with my high school sweetheart of 3 years..I’m a junior in college now and this just uplifted me in remember to wait for the one he has for me who will always love me, not just consider it an obligation, but a desire…so thank you for helping me realize that the Lord sees my pain and for me not to worry
God is so good!!!!! Needed to hear this today. Having surgery and have been alittle anxious even though its a minor procedure and this devotional spoke right to me.
Dear Julie, Thank you for opening up your heart and sharing this beautiful experience(s). I too have a “friendly visitor” like your little your little squirrel. Mine is a red cardinal that shows up “always” when I need a gentle reminder that God is near. I pray that my “friendly visitor” shows up today for I am in great need of a reminder that God is with me.
Julie,what wonderful thoughts this devotion brought me this morning. My squirrels are roadrunners. I grew up in Florida ~ roadrunners there are not the feathered kind. But my mom and dad loved the idea of that bird though they had never seen one except in a cartoon.
Mom visited me while my son was in college at Angelo State. We spent a few days in the hill country of Texas where she saw her first roadrunner. She was in the early stages of dementia but knew what that strange bird was and squealed with delight.
We live in a country area where roadrunners are frequent guests. Seems as though when my heart is “world-worn” God will allow a roadrunner to zip across the road in front of me. Last summer one strolled up my driveway, then down the front walk, allowing me time to visually dissect it’s feathers, eyes, and behavior. I always feel that brief moment is God’s blessing for me and like the roadrunner He will care for me also. Thanks again for the reminder this morning.