Lesson from a Baby Skunk
A few weeks ago I was up in the Pinetop-Lakeside area in Arizona for vacation for a few days. We were staying on a property that has several cabins and a small lake filled with trout, yellow catfish, and a whole bunch of other things. The first day we were there, my mom went to take one of the dogs out and came back with a warning about a skunk that was just around the corner of our cabin. When we first saw it, we knew it was a baby and thought the mother might be nearby. For the next two days, we were on guard whenever we left the cabin not wanting to get “skunked”. During that time we watched the little critter through the windows walking behind the backside of our cabin. We watched him lie down in the middle of the dirt road and take a nap. So adorable! But we started wondering where momma skunk was?
Our third day brought quite the unexpected revelation as we watched not one, not two, but three baby skunks come crawling out from under our cabin. They were so cute. One was a little wobbly. They looked so different. After doing some google research we estimated these little guys were only about 6 weeks old or so. But there was no momma. We decided to let the office know about the skunks. The manager told us she would call her husband so he could set a trap. I must have had a look of horror on my face as she quickly added “oh, they are live traps.” Whew!
Her husband, sons, and father slowly showed up at our cabin as we watched the baby skunks walk about, lie down together, and crawl in and out of the hole. The father mentioned that there had been a dead skunk found just up the road and we all assumed if must have been the momma. They only had two traps and were concerned they might not catch all three. I went back inside the cabin and began worrying about the little skunks. By the next morning I was deeply concerned about them. As I talked with the Lord about my concerns about one of them being left behind, I heard the Lord say “Don’t you believe I’m watching over them?” Immediately I heard the scripture from the book of Job where he says “Do you observe the calving of the deer?” (Job 39:1b) As I thought about what the Lord had said to me I realized my answer…”No, because I don’t believe you’re watching over me.” And there it was…the truth. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32 NASB)
As usual, God is working on solidifying this truth in my heart and not just my head. After all, this is why Christ came. For our Freedom! (See Galatians 5:1)
May God grant us the courage and strength to face anything that has us in bondage that we may live in the freedom he purchased for us on the cross knowing that he is indeed watching over each and every one of us. God bless you!
Photo by Bryan Padron on Unsplash
