Our feeder is made of clear Lexan (plastic) and stands on two poles. Two pieces of Lexan on each pole prevent the squirrels from climbing the poles. Another piece keeps them from jumping off the small shed nearby onto the feeder. Over the top of the main feeder are two of those clear plastic window well covers, joined in the middle by a thin metal piece. This cover can rock back and forth. When squirrels jump onto it, they usually end up sliding off, landing harmlessly in the grass. We have worked very hard to make our backyard bird feeder "squirrel proof." Most of the time, now, they cannot get to the food, but once in a while we get a very persistent squirrel that keeps trying until it finds a way.
We had a lot of snow in February, and it piled high atop the feeder (about a foot deep). At least one squirrel discovered that it could use the snow to break its fall enough for it to catch the feeder and get on for a feast. Eventually, however, the snow melted enough that the rest went sliding off. Enter the persistent squirrel. Thunk! I looked out the window to see him sitting on top, hands folded across his chest as he looked around. Then he went over to the edge--oops!--down he went. He quickly popped his head into and back out of the snow as if to say, "Who, me? No, that wasn't me that fell. I was just down here looking for some seeds." Then seconds later, it was back up the tree for another jump, another slide, another jump, another slide, etc. This happened at least a dozen times.
It got me to thinking in a couple of different ways. One was, how persistent am I in seeking to fulfill my fleshly desires? Having been thwarted or failing once, do I keep trying, or do I listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confess my sin, and repent of it? To what lengths will I go to get what my flesh wants? This squirrel fell about six feet each time. It also gnawed on the metal, and the Lexan on the poles, in its desperate attempt to get at the food. It tried to climb the poles, too. I believe it even jumped into the Lexan on the side once. Wow! I was reminded of how strong the desires of the flesh can be, and how hard I all too often work to satisfy them. And, when I have sinned, to what lengths will I go to cover it up? (see Proverbs 28:13)
The second way was this: How persistent am I in pursuing holiness and godliness? Ouch! Do I labor in studying the Word, in prayer, obeying, and serving others? This seems to be ever so much harder than giving in to the flesh is, yet it is what God commands. Thanks, squirrel, for the valuable lesson. I might even scatter a few sunflower seeds for you sometime.
