Flying Squirrels
Weeks before, a hurricane had swept through the forest knocking down a swath of trees more than a mile wide and 12 miles long. Trees were strewn in every direction, much like matchsticks in a heap. Yet, sporadically throughout the strip of chaos, there were small stands of trees still upright. They looked stable enough, but hidden beneath the earth, their roots were weak from having grown in the middle of a forest. They were dangerous to be left standing. He had been hired to clear-fall the remaining bit of the forest in preparation for the logging company that owned the trees to come and harvest the windfall; hectares of it in fact. As he look around at the old growth of trees, he marveled at the height of those still standing. They were a mixture of fir and spruce with the odd pine. The smell of the conifer sap was pungent in the air. Listening to the gentle whisper of wind in the trees, he bent down and filled his faithful old chainsaw with fuel, strapped on his chaps and set about getting on with the task at hand. He loved working in the bush. Loved the solitude and serenity of the place. But he also took pride in his craftsmanship. He had been doing this since he was a young man and had learned over the years how to size up a tree to see where he needed to make the cut in order to have it fall in the right place. It was a dangerous job, but if one were careful, they could minimize the risks.
Slinging the saw on his shoulder, he glanced around to decide where he would start. Getting across the mess of tangled trees to the pockets he had to cut down would not be an easy task. As was his practice, he took notice to see if there was any wildlife in the area. Couldn’t have a startled bear come rushing out at him. He hated the thought of all the animals that had lost their homes from the hurricane and could only imagine how frightened they had been in the wind and rain. How terrifying it would have been to have to run from falling trees as they fled for their lives, and, after all of that, to have lost their home in the forest. He hated having to further displace the many animals of the forest, but it was his job to cut them down, and the truth was, the trees needed to come down. Deciding it was all clear, he yanked on the pull start and smiled as the saw roared to life. Striding into the forest he made his first cut. Moments later, the tree began its last dance as it thundered towards the ground. The thump as it hit the earth resonated into his chest and he grinned, feeling proud and relieved at the good outcome. Moving on to the next one, he did it all over again. Throughout the morning, he methodically cut down the numerous pockets of trees as he slowly made his way along mess left behind from the hurricane.
When lunchtime came, he found a stump to sit on, unpacked his lunchbox and enjoyed the silence. The deep earthy smell of the forest floor along with the singing in the trees was one of the things he liked best about being out in the bush. Pouring a hot cup of tea from his thermos, he looked around the fallen trees, so much like pickup sticks and then glanced up at the remaining ones. Deciding it was time to get back to work, he yanked his chainsaw back to life and tackled the next cluster. As the first tree whistled towards the earth, he noticed shadows on the ground. A movement high up caught his attention.
“Well what do you know,” he thought, “a flying squirrel.” In fact, there were two of them.
They seemed to be frightened and were gliding from tree to tree. The squirrels would leap from the tree top as each tree thundered to the ground, and would then glide to the next tree. Then, they would dash up to the treetop and clung on tightly till he cut it from below and then the next drunken dance began. Again and again, the squirrels floated through the air, and dashed back up the next tree, desperately trying to stay alive. The little female was getting exhausted from jumping and gliding back and forth between the trees. She was so frightened of the roaring saw and thundering noise as they smashed on the ground. With each new tree cut down, more of her home was destroyed. It made his heartache watching her little body quiver in fear and exhaustion. But as much as he hated destroying her home, he also knew it was dangerous to leave such a small patch of trees as they would likely not have strong enough roots to stay upright in another wind.
Finally, there were only two trees left to cut down. High up in the branches the little female squirrel huddled against the trunk of the tree, heaving in terror. A flash in the second tree caught his attention. There, upon the highest branches was the little female’s partner. He leapt from the branch and glided down to the tree she was sheltering in and landed a few branches below. Scampering back up to where she was, the male squirrel dashed up to her and snuggled in close.
As they both leaned their little heads against the trunk, the male took his arm and put it around his little partner and cuddled as close as he could.
Although he was a squirrel, the look in his eye as he glared at the man who dared to destroy his home and terrorize his partner was impossible to ignore.
Taking a moment to let the little critters scamper down that last, solitary tree, he watched as they scurried across the tangle of fallen trees to the edge of the forest. What a relief it was to know that they would be able to find a new home where they could be safe. He had hated watching their fear, realizing that they could only see the trees they were in being cut down. In the midst of their terrible situation, they couldn’t see there was still a whole forest to go live in.
This story makes me think of mankind. How we are in the midst of terrifying situations.
Many are facing illness, loss of employment, changes in society that are terrifying, or feeling alone because of your beliefs.
It is tempting to stand frozen in fear. To not see the forest for the trees as the little squirrels did. It must be so hard for our Heavenly Father to stand by and see all the destruction and sorrow taking place on our planet; to witness our suffering. Yet, much like the logger who knew why the trees had to be cut down, God knows that this story has to play out. He knows why sin has to be allowed to exist on this earth, but it is only for a time. Yet, it is not his intention for us to face it in fear. The Bible is full of promises that we can cling to in times of trouble.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Imagine having peace that guards your heart. What a comforting thought.
Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Take heart. You are not alone in such troublesome times. God is with you. He is the “peace that passeth all understanding.” May each one of you find comfort in the days ahead, rest for your souls, and peace in trusting in your Heavenly Father who loves you.
