Squirrel Alert !! (Never Give Up)

Yesterday on my way to work,
I saw a squirrel trying to precariously
walk on TOP of the snow. 

I'll just say. . . . .   It was NOT going well. 
I know this may sound cruel - but I smiled. 
Well . . . OK!  I lied.  I laughed.  Out loud.

Reminded me of the saber-toothed squirrel, Scrat,  in "Ice Age". 

He is constantly putting his life in danger to hunt, obtain and protect his acorns  - for his future.


He invariably ends up in humorous or painful situations:

- struck by lightning,

- pursued by avalanches,

- stepped on by a mammoth

- repeatedly knocked unconscious.
- resuscitated just before entering
    acorn Heaven. 
- causing a volcanic eruption because of his
    method of trying to bury his acorn. 

He usually ends up losing. 

Yet !!  He never gives up.

I think that's why I love Scrat so much. 
He NEVER gives up! 
NEVER!

He fights all the EXTREME elements known to man and just keeps going. 
Undaunted in his sole task of collecting his acorns.

As I wrote in a October 18, 2009 post, while watching the squirrels in my own yard
 frantically and furiously gathering black walnuts while dodging the dogs: 

"They know their purpose. They have a plan.

Deliberately and diligently preparing for their future.
They know a barren winter is coming.

They ARE paying attention!
Day after day,

Hour after hour."
Tree after tree,
nut after nut. 

Have you ever encountered a squirrel who is collecting his acorns or walnuts?

Or have you ever been in the way or hindered a determined one?

I have - many times.  

I love to sit under the trees in my yard and read. 
There are five (5) black walnut trees. 

Apparently they are not MY trees, even tho I own them.

The squirrels seem to think the trees belong to them.    

I've been scolded, chattered at, and

had twigs dropped into my hair & onto my books.

And . . . they do NOT give up until they have made you moved.

I know!

That squirrel yesterday morning reminded me that maybe I've 'given up' on some things.

I'm not even attempting to get out on the snow - whatever that formidable snow represents in my life.
Maybe I've withdrawn from life a little too much. 

I suppose some people feel that I've 'checked-out';
But there are times when we need to deliberately 'check-in'
Time to heal,
Time to evaluate,
Time to recuperate,
Time to read, study, and be renewed. 

That squirrel made me think.
Might be time to get back out on TOP of the snow again. 

I need to:
  -  get up and decide to have a good day.
  -  shut-up and listen to others and to God.
  -  stand up for what I believe in,
  -  look up to my Lord
  -  reach up for something higher
  -  and lift up my prayers, instead of worrying.  

There are some things in life that are just worth chattering & chiding about.

I need to adopt Scrat's and Winston Churchill's attitude;

"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."  Winston Churchill

"Never, never, never give up"  Winston Churchill

I need to remain undaunted by the difficulties in life. 

And just keep going. 
Keep on keeping on.

Thank you, God,  for the reminder yesterday morning. 

For your squirrel who was unsteadily & uncertainly & yet determinely trying to walk on TOP of the snow. 

I need to be deliberately, diligently and determinely preparing for the future.
Preparing for each day.

May I NEVER give up.