Squirrel It Away

You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. ~ Deuteronomy 11:18

As the days become shorter and cooler, I see more and more squirrels feverishly gathering their food to see them through the winter.  Just a couple of nights ago, I saw one with a very large walnut in his mouth bouncing slowly around my yard, trying to decide the best place to put this treasure for later.  I was surprised he came so close to the house for his final decision.  As he busied himself to the task at hand, I watched as he dug faster and faster into the ground between the sidewalk and driveway.  He dug just enough so that the hole would hide the nut under a thin layer of soil, which he diligently replaced and patted down so as not to look as if anything had been disturbed and no one else could find it.  He then looked around, satisfied that this job was done to his liking and bounced away to find more food for the winter.

We, as Christians, need to do this very thing with the Word of God.  We need to gather the knowledge and wisdom to use as "weapons" against all the forces out in the world that try to pull us away from a relationship with God.  We must read the Word, daily and "bury" it in our minds and our hearts to recall whenever situations arise that require this very knowledge to keep us on the right path.  This Holy Word is "food" for our soul, nourishing us in mind and spirit so that our faith remains strong, no matter what may cross our path throughout any given day.  

Our lives are like seasons, and the older we become, the closer we our to the "fall" and "winter" of our lives here on earth.  We must be prepared for the end of our time here by "squirreling" away as much spiritual food we can to see us through our earthly lives.  Are we getting ready for our "winter" of life?  If not, we need to really buckle down and start "squirreling it away" while we have time!

Prayer

Lord,

You have created all seasons - both weather and life cycle seasons.  Each season has its own beauty to enjoy and live through.  Help us to remember that, all along our journey here on earth, we need to not only feed our physical bodies, but also our spirituality with Your Holy Word so that our faith will remain strong throughout our earthly journey until our earthly "winter" arrives and You gather us to You for our heavenly reward.  Amen.

~ Wendy Miller