Squirrel Scarcity Mindset

Lately I have had a love-hate relationship with my beloved backyard squirrels. It's really all one-sided, they have no idea what's going on. I think they are hilarious. They have made me laugh so many times. They also drive me crazy because they just don't understand our agreement.  The squirrels can have the food that falls on the ground, but the suet feeder and bird feeder are for the birds. 

This results in a ritual they seem to think is a game, but I am quite serious about. I knock on the window, they hear me but ignore the threat, I then have to go outside, they look at me unphased and keep eating, I have to run to chase them away, they half- climb a tree and see if I'll get any closer. The game goes a few different directions from there depending on how many times I've already chased them that day. Yes, I've put grease on the pole, I've sprayed it with coconut oil, I've tried. One squirrel even showed such disrespect as to lick the grease off! 

But I also love them. I've given them some different ground food items and it is the greatest social experiment. It has taught me so much about myself as I watch these little guys chase away one another from their food haul. As if they did anything besides show up and find free food... Absurd. I put two whole apples that had started going bad out there the other day. Seeing them climbing around with this huge thing in their mouth so they don't have to share was a delight. I also accidentally richoted a piece of bread right into ones face. Squirrel was temporarily stunned but then intent on carrying a piece of bread the size of it's body to wherever it could. 

But man oh man, watching them chase the others away from their free ground seed... My word.  Conviction. I feel like I'm so much like those little guys. "Hey, this is mine, back off!" I did nothing to deserve it and where it comes from is a God who would continue to provide and pour out even more. But instead of sharing, I just hoard and chase away with a scarcity mindset. 

A squirrel scarcity mindset instead of an abundant God mindset. I sit here knowing I have more seed to feed, but they cannot possibly risk sharing. And I know God is the same. If I pour out and give, he will pour back in even more adundantly. 

(squirrel with entire apple for your viewing pleasure)