A Nutty Harvest: Angel Message

 

My crossword puzzle clue, oak nut, had a touch of synchronicity as I laughed, quickly filling in the word acorn.  Ping! Ping! Acorns were hitting the roof and rolling across the shingles in a steady beat. A loud thump hit the roof. No doubt a heavy-footed squirrel had made a daring leap from the tall oak and landed on the sun-room  roof to collect treasures.  Acorns pinged at all hours. A nutty harvest was in full swing. I love it.  Our flower beds are laden with an abundant layer of capped brown nuts inches deep.

Most gray squirrels I've seen are scurrying around with a nut in their mouths, like this one at Blue Springs on our anniversary. They gather a surplus for winter and hide the nuts in different places.  Sometimes they bury their provisions so well, the acorns are not found, but new trees and bushes are planted.    

Squirrel brings a message to stock up on provisions, not only material, but gather the fruits of life in this moment when plentifully available.  Joy, friendship, vitality...  Squirrel is a creature of lightness, movement and spontaneity.  The art of preparation is to take in the surplus of the moment, and also to give out freely in the same moment.  Encounters with squirrels are moments to consider letting go... It could be  an overflow of useless stuff you no longer need and can return to the natural flow of matter.  Or it could be events and thoughts stored up from long ago that block the flow of freely expressing your feelings in the moment. Squirrel could never survive if it tried to hold on to all its provisions.

In looking back, I fondly recall a memorable encounter.  A bushy-tailed red squirrel planted a seed to  let go of my stressful, demanding career.   At the time, I was on a much needed vacation, visiting my best  friend from childhood who lived in California.  Although decades have passed, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was lounging on the patio, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine while reading a book by Ruth Montgomery.  That's when a happy squirrel pranced by me on the patio wall, and boldly stopped to loudly chomp on a big nut, while he sat overlooking the city of Oakland below. Oh how I longed to be free from tedious morning hours commutes on I-95, working in an office building with no windows... I wanted to breathe in new life.  I couldn't help but notice the animated squirrel was a picture of  health.  All needs provided--free to roam--plenty to eat, and a shiny, red coat.  I wondered, Why  I couldn't trust that God would provide for me, too?   

Two years later, it happened...I took a leap of faith, and let go of my so-called security to grab on to a new opportunity to work on an angel documentary.  Some thought I was nuts, but I've never regretted it, no not once. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

   

Little Things Hold Great Promise: An Angel Message

What a surprise when eating lunch at an outdoor cafe, an acorn fell from a high tree branch and hit my head in a resounding PING! What was the message? my friend and I laughed as I picked up the acorn, twig and all.

 

The next morning, what a surprise when I pulled  my patio chair out from the table. A little acorn presented in a more gentle, loving way, occupied my seat as if meant for me.  I laughed, looking up and accepted the gift.

 

 Without an oak tree in our yard, I wondered about the timely delivery. The answer soon appeared. A feisty squirrel chattered high up on the old oak next door.  His bushy tail flickered, giving Elliot and me the business as we enjoyed nature. 

 

"Do you want to be in the angel blog?" I playfully asked, knowing squirrel is about keeping a balance between working and playing, giving and taking. I hurried for my camera. He waited, perched on high, in a rowdy routine, chattering between chomps on a nut that afforded me a photo.

An acorn represents raw potential ...amazing how a mighty oak comes from such a small seed.  Imagine one little nut holds the promise of acres and acres of  acorns, as each oak shares its harvest, it is greatly multiplied.  

 

Squirrel as a gatherer, also prepares for the future by burying some of his cache,  but takes time to savor the fruit in the moment. 

I was thankful the squirrel had shared his fruit by planting an acorn in my chair that morning.  May I always be as generous.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen



 

Seek and You Shall Find: An Angel Message

When a squirrel shows up, it usually has to do with balance.  Are we working too hard and not taking time to play?  Are we taking more than we are giving?  If so, find ways to gather and to gift. Be prepared is also the message the squirrel brings.

Most of this week, a little squirrel has been crossing my path.  Our bird feeder had been empty for several months so as not to tame the sandhill cranes.  Now that the family has moved on, yesterday I watched a hungry little squirrel scale the pole to the feeder hoping for a crumb. He left, empty-handed.  

With compassion, the feeder was once again filled with yellow corn kernels and sunflower seeds.  But the full house had no activity until early this morning.

What fun to see that rascally squirrel share breakfast with a bright red cardinal.  There's a wonderful saying, "When a cardinal appears an angel is near."  Cardinals bring a message to add more color to our lives, and to remember that everything we do is important.

The topper of the morning came with the arrival of two young wild turkeys grazing in the pasture next door. A welcoming sign of abundance and thanksgiving. God loves you.

Enjoy your day with the Angels, and expect the wonderful things of God to come to you today.

Love and joyful blessings,

Rae Karen