Scampering Squirrels

The Scampering Squirrels
Rebecca Carpenter
March 19, 2009
Near the lake, the dark trunk tilted slightly like a drowsy giant. At first, it seemed that the wildlife were still sleep too. Then I noticed him-a furry squirrel clinging to the tree and scrutinizing the yard. As he descended the tree at the back, his companion skimmed the front. They did not appear to even see each other since both were lost in thought.
The first squirrel signaled his feelings with his fuzzy, gray tail forming undulating waves while his body remained still. Then instantly his position changed. Up and down the tree he went scaling the trunk and scampering from limb to limb. He ventured to the end of a high branch and looked longingly at the feeder but realized that it was too far away to jump.
At the base of the tree he disappeared and then rose unexpectedly above the grass as he stood upright—his white chest a striking contrast to his gray body in the early light. He nibbled small acorns with his tiny jaws vibrating rapidly. His eyes continued to dart back and forth across the lawn. For such a small animal he had tremendous energy but seemed to have little notion of where he was headed.
Often we are like the squirmy squirrel—running around with no apparent destination or purpose. Scrambling from one activity to another—working a short time—and then continuing the quest but not even sure what it is. Just as the squirrel takes opportunities to momentarily remain still and survey his world, we should stop and evaluate our world too with its constant enticements. But instead of running off again, we should decide where and why we are running. Then we can determine the right path for our current season of life.