“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10)

     One of the things we are enjoying about life in the Maryland mountains is the abundance of birds.  We put up bird feeders in the back yard and we’ve been intrigued by the beautiful diversity of the colorful winged creatures that sing God’s glory.  They seem to really enjoy life.

     But the squirrels have been stealing the birdseed.  The feeders are meant for birds, so the bushy tailed beings are thieves and robbers.  Not to mention they have been hard on the feeders.  My mission became stopping their destruction.

     I kept moving the feeders further and further from the tree, but I’ve been amazed at how far they can jump.  Then I noticed that they were climbing down the rope from which the feeders hang, so I slapped on tubes of nice black grease all the way down to the feeders.

     Sitting at the picnic table reading my Bible, I watched a squirrel climb out on the branch and approach the rope from which a feeder was hanging.  He looked at the rope, ready to grab on for his decent, and I couldn’t help but smile as I anticipated what would happen next.  It was going to be funny to watch him grab onto the greased rope, preparing to climb down to the feeder as usual.  I was ready for the excitement of watching him encounter the grease, knowing that he would slide out of control for an awakening fall, teaching him a lesson about stealing food not meant for him.  Excitement grew as I envisioned the screeching squirrel with a look of terror as he fell, helplessly trying to get a grip with the hair standing up on his neck and tail all the way down.  I was wishing I had a slow motion camera to watch it again later.   I got ready to applaud his display of defeat.

     I didn’t get to have that laugh or that celebration dance.  I watched him glide right down the rope; seeming to enjoy the new slide, and I’m quite certain he was smiling at me all the way to the feeder.
 
     So I bought some wire to connect to higher places and will cut the ropes away.  I think that will work.
 
     I reflected on the seeds of God’s promises and provisions for us, designed to bring abundant life, and how the thief tries to steal and kill and destroy.  The ropes that tie me to places of worry or anxiety about the past or future need to be cut, replaced with the invisible wire of prayer, inaccessible to the robbers of joy.   I’m thankful that God shows us how to detach from the greasy chords and slippery slopes that steal the fullness of the present moment, so that we can enjoy the heavenly manna of His word, meant for us.   I’m feeling like a renewed songbird today, hoping to sing to God’s glory, enjoying life!


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