That’s what we were witness to this morning on our prayer walk – one person’s patient attempt at squirrel taming. We literally stopped in our tracks so as not to interfere with the precarious process taking place right before our eyes. We stood still, silently watching from our not too distant vantage point, the unfolding drama playing out between squirrel and human. It was a delicate dance between squirrel and man, a back and forth of sorts.

In his hand, the man held out food, freely offered to the squirrel. But the squirrel had to come close enough to take it from the man’s hand. What would win out? The squirrel’s fear or the squirrel’s hunger? The squirrel would come close but then retreat before getting close enough to take the food out of the man’s hand. Each time the squirrel would come a little closer before retreating in haste. But never close enough to receive the food which the man was still patiently holding out for the squirrel should the squirrel choose to come and get it from his hand.

My prayer walk partners and I watched this drama, this dance, in silence, not wanting to interrupt the process of trust building or taming that was taking place in front of us. It was so quiet, I realized I was holding my breath each time the squirrel came close, thinking surely this time he would come close enough to take the food from the man’s outstretched hand.

At last our patience was rewarded. The squirrel came close enough to bite off some of the bread in the man’s hand and retreated quickly before I had time to realize what had happened. All that effort, patience, and waiting – then it was over in an instant. A temporary success. The squirrel would soon be hungry again. Would the trust process have to start all over again or would the squirrel remember the goodness of the man with the outstretched hand?

As we resumed our walk, my friend pointed out that the “squirrel taming” we just witnessed is a picture or a reflection of our relationship with our Creator God. Our Heavenly Father’s hand is outstretched towards us, filled with the good gifts He desires to give us. But are we willing to draw close enough to Him to receive what He is offering to us? Receiving God’s good gifts requires that we overcome our fear, draw close and choose to trust Him. God stands ready to receive you and me and anyone who would come to Him. Like the would-be squirrel tamer, God is patiently waiting for us to approach Him.

“The eyes of all look to you, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:15-16)

“These all look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. . . . When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:27-30)

Am I like the squirrel? I will accept something good from God, but then I retreat in haste, not wanting to remain too close to my Benefactor. Why? Does my fear of Him outweigh my trust in Him? Or do I want His gifts without the relationship? Why wouldn’t I want to be close to someone who desires only what is good for me? Someone who wants to give me only good gifts.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

I believe the Psalmist when he said –

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:8-10)

The squirrel we watched today was definitely very conflicted. He would approach cautiously, then retreat hastily as if he’d changed his mind. Because the squirrel didn’t trust the man offering the free food, the squirrel couldn’t receive the gift and enter into a relationship with his benefactor. The squirrel didn’t know the character of the man offering the food.

But I know the character of the One who offers me food, forgiveness and so much more. He is unchanging, faithful and gives only good gifts to His children. I don’t have to keep running away every time I fear I have come too near. His intentions towards me are only good.

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

When I trust my Heavenly Father, I don’t have to keep running away, to keep running back and forth like the squirrel, wearing myself out in the process. I can find rest in my relationship with the God who extends His hand to me, full of provision, promise, potential and protection. When I stop running away, I experience these gifts – I experience His protection.

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:4)

When I stay close, I receive what He’s been wanting and waiting to give me all along.

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

no reason to run away again and again like the frightened squirrel did, there is no better place to be than near my Heavenly Father’s outstretched hand.

sincerely, Grace Day