There is a fence in my neighborhood I wrote about in a previous post – an invasive ivy destroyed it and that part of the fence had to be rebuilt. Funny how things come back around. Every morning I take a prayer walk, complete with singing praise songs and voicing audible prayers (my neighbors are used to this). I walk down the same sidewalk Mom and I would walk on as we shared stories and conversations. She and I watched the fence taken over by that ivy, but last week I stopped and looked at it for a different reason. A squirrel had popped out of nowhere at the top of the fence with only his head visible. I thought he would jump down if I stood watching him long enough, but he didn’t. He seemed to listen to every word I said, so I ended up talking to this little fella for quite a while. Eventually, I walked on, but the next day, he was there again. And then the next day. And the next.My time with this squirrel has become a daily event now. I’m usually singing when I pass the fence, so I think he hears me coming. Since he and I are friends now, I’ve given him a name: “Little Fella”.
One of the wise truths Mom shared with me on this same sidewalk years ago was to cherish the little things. Don’t let them pass by with barely a thought, but consider how they might help us get through our toughest days.
I consider my time with this little squirrel a blessing because I met him on the same day I received some heartbreaking news about a dear friend facing cancer. “Little 
Fella”, with his head peeking over the fence and his black eyes watching my every move, helped me realize that once again Mom was right. Noticing those little blessings, and then keeping my eyes on them, helps me face challenges with a different perspective. “Little Fella” the squirrel has reminded me that these seemingly insignificant things can lift my spirits.
Fella”, with his head peeking over the fence and his black eyes watching my every move, helped me realize that once again Mom was right. Noticing those little blessings, and then keeping my eyes on them, helps me face challenges with a different perspective. “Little Fella” the squirrel has reminded me that these seemingly insignificant things can lift my spirits.He might be just another squirrel to most people, but for me, this guy is a wonder of nature. Squirrels are everywhere, but this one demanded I notice him. He even likes Mabel!
Sometimes, these little blessings can take our mind off the weightier things – if only for a few minutes. But I cherish those few minutes with an attentive squirrel who showed up on this familiar fence. Mom would have loved him.
I pray today God blesses you with a “Little Fella” in your life. Maybe it’s not a squirrel, but the laughter of a child, the smile from a stranger, the sound of a bird’s song in your backyard. These random blessings can take us away from our worries for a few minutes and remind us that God has created a world of beauty; we just need to open our eyes a little wider to see it all around us. May a small blessing you notice today help you walk through the big moments life throws at you.
God is in the little things, so let’s join Him there and be lifted up.
My grandfather “Popsie” had a squirrel similar to yours….he would hand feed him until the day the squirrel named “Charlsky Squirrelsky” mistaken his finger for food. I think he fed differently after that day. 🙂