It occurs to me there is something ya’ll should know about me, just fyi so to speak, so I hereby confess it to you now – I am a target and I am under attack. How did this come about? Well let me tell you how it all started innocently enough, on a day not all that long ago.

You see, I believe there is a natural law stating something like the following, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” That could explain what has been happening to me recently. I do not feel safe on my morning walks anymore nor on my daily bike rides. Again today I found myself peddling furiously in order to dodge the barrage of acorns falling around my head while at the same time trying not to wipe out as these same acorns crunched under my bike tires, threatening to send me into a skid.

I trace this back to the day I wrote the post entitled “C.C. an acorn ambush #94.” This post must have upset the squirrel population, leading them to seek revenge. I am now a target because I exposed what they are doing on a daily basis. Squirrels had everyone believing it is gravity that is responsible for all the falling acorns. But I pointed out it is actually the squirrels, hurling acorns at unsuspecting passersby, simply for sport. (there are a lot of bored or otherwise disgruntled squirrels out there)

Little did I know squirrels had such an organized network. My post must have gone viral in squirrel world. Because I was riding at least two neighborhoods away today when out of the blue an acorn ambush let loose all around me. Luckily I was able to peddle out of the falling acorn zone to safety. But today I realized just how upset the squirrels are about being called out in my recent post, for their acorn throwing behavior.

The truth isn’t always pretty and I guess the squirrels don’t want their image as fun, furry little forest creatures tarnished by my portrayal of them as vicious, persecutors of pedestrians or any people who dare to pass under their precious oak tree abodes. These squirrels have plenty of ammunition at their disposal (acorns) and they are not afraid to use it!

Fall is my favorite time of year to be outdoors, so I spend as much time as possible out walking or biking. However, since my post exposing bad squirrel behavior, I am constantly on guard and find myself endeavoring to avoid areas with oak trees if at all possible. This substantially limits where I can walk or bike at the moment. (there are a lot of oak trees around here)

I am feeling targeted and persecuted by the squirrel population every time I leave home. I suppose I can take some comfort in these words from Matthew 5:10,

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Was it right of me to write the truth, to expose the squirrels’ deeds and warn other unsuspecting pedestrians? 1 Peter 3:13-14 says,

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”

I may have to suffer for doing what is right? Yes, it looks that way. But that is no reason to keep silent if I know the truth about something. 1 Peter 4:15-16 makes it clear that if I suffer because of my own wrongdoing, there is no honor in that. I should suffer for doing wrong. But when I suffer for pursuing what is right, it should not deter me from continuing to do and to say what is true and right.

“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

I may face continued acorn ambushes, even acorn avalanches in my daily walk with my Heavenly Father, for as long as I am in this world. But I have these assurances, these promises, from His word –

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19)

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)

sincerely, Grace Day