Be careful what you wish for. You never know who will be listening.
Two squirrels busied themselves on the grass beside the walking trail this morning as I made my daily trek between the backyards of suburban houses and a creek tucked into a dense wood in the middle of town. The squirrels delivered the first God Dot of my day.
Miracles and messages from God aren’t reserved for a select few. God Dots are signs of the ways God reaches into your life to make himself known. They’re unique to each person; subtle, intimate, and usually unexpected, ranging from the miraculous to the mundane.
Talking to the Animals
I talk to most birds and animals I meet, hoping to emulate the abilities of Saint Francis and the fictitious Dr. Doolittle. I’m fluent in the language of Horse but still working on my squirrel, deer, and jay.
Even though we don’t really converse, I want them to know that I pose no danger and am sincere in my greetings and offer of friendship. Sharing the world with God’s creatures is one of my greatest blessings.
The Lesson of the Squirrels
Neither squirrel was particularly afraid, pausing to consider before reacting to my approach. A hopeful sign! My greetings can be mental or verbal. Sometime I add a form of address, like Master Squirrel or Sir Cardinal. With horses or anyone else, respect is a two-way street.
The nearest squirrel hopped onto a tree a foot off the ground and waited. The other was barely off the path, busily digging for buried treasure. He froze, then scampered a few feet further along the trail and waited, a pecan in his mouth.
I walked past, said goodbye, delighted that he was comfortable enough to hang onto his prize and not run away. A victory for my morning!
Be Careful What You Ask For
I chatted with the Lord for a bit, wondering if I’d ever be fluent in anything other than Horse. That’s when I realized the squirrels were God Dots.
Time to rethink my desire to have true conversation with the critters. I learned the language of horses by complete immersion and total commitment—the kind of commitment defined as, “no matter what.”
What might happen if you got precisely what you want? Newton’s Third Law teaches that every action has an equal and opposite reaction and God is all about balance.
Ability Brings Accountability
If God gave me the ability to communicate with animals it wouldn’t be a one-sided transaction. Adam’s first breath came with accountability. If the animals knew I could speak with them they’d came asking for help anytime they needed it and I’d become responsible.
An image of deer, squirrels, a skunk, and several birds tapping at my front door came to mind. Years earlier, one of our goat mamas figured out which door in the barn led to the people side. She’d stand on her hind legs, peer in the window on the top half of the door, and rap on the glass for attention. Goats, it seems, like company.
“We Want a King.”
You know the story. The Israelites wanted someone to protect and provide for them. They didn’t think God was doing a good enough job, so they asked for a king. Samuel warned them of the consequences, but they persisted.
I don’t want the responsibility of taking God’s place with the local critters. There’s no one better than He is to care for the creatures He adores.
Squirrels and company are better served by the King they have than with anything I could offer. God could give me the ability but I don’t want the accountability. So, I’m newly content to share the woods each morning. Scratch one more “want to” from my list.
Huge God Dot.
Is there anything on your “want-to” list that needs rethinking?
Awareness is one of at least twelve types of God Dot.
The God Dot
Understanding your past, finding peace and power in the present, and getting a glimpse of what’s ahead comes when you recognize and collect the dots God leaves for you.
How does God reach into your life to let you know He’s there and He cares?
Discover More About God Dots
Learn more about God Dots and listen to an audio sample or visit THE GOD DOT book on Amazon.
