I walked Riley out the other day and saw this scene: a squirrel lying completely flat in the shade of a tree. He allowed us to walk right past him, seemingly unphased by our presence, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I’ve seldom seen a squirrel do what I assume to be a “cooling off ritual,” and certainly not without it scampering off the minute a human scent hit the air.
It occurred to me all of a sudden what a good example this little squirrel was. When the heat became too much, he spread himself flat on the cool of the ground, not allowing himself to be distracted. Isn’t that what we’ve been taught to do? Get down on all fours in a burning house to escape the heat, find clear air and more focused vision to get ourselves to safety? It seems, as believers, that we need to adopt the same philosophy, getting flat on the cool of the ground before the Father, putting ourselves down below the heat of our circumstance where we can focus, without distraction, on God’s strength and guidance to see us through, instead of our own.
I’ll be honest. Most of the time I know when I need to “stop, drop and get flat,” but I don’t always do it. I’ve been known (more often than I care to admit) to continue soldiering on through a veritable blaze, standing upright in my own inadequate strength, coughing and sputtering all the while. I know there is clarity and refreshment down below the smoke, but I keep going my own pitiful way.
Lord, help me to follow the example of this small creature. Like him, let my “getting flat” become my first instinctive response when the heat starts to threaten, seeking only You without distraction.
Photo credit: elledeegee
I'm so glad you're back!! I've missed you. 🙂
Boy do I need some "flat" time!! Think I'll go and find a quiet spot right now..
Hugs,
steph.
I have a cat that does that. It's the funniest thing. As for me, having spend a lot of time in Muslim countries where prayer is prostrate, getting "flat" before God has more than a metaphysical meaning. I think we in the West sometimes forget that kneeling, becoming prostrate, etc., is a great sign of reverence (as long as it is more than external action).
Face down, heart up…I agree.
Melinda:
You have said it so well. We have to take the time to rest and listen to God.
This heat we have had has lain a lot of us low. We need to praise Him for the times He does this for us. It is then He wants to talk to us.
I love this!!! I should have been "getting flat" all this summer. Instead, I stood on my own two feet and tried to muddle through on my own! It just really doesn't work. So, I have been getting flat before the Lord. It's amazing what a little refocusing on Him can do!
I miss you my friend!!
Love,
Jen
Melinda,
This speaks volumes to me as I tend to be a fighter if I think someone is wronged, instead of falling on my face. Then the HEAT IS ON!
Love to ya,
Yolanda
What a neat picture. And a great reminder. Thanks.
Melinda, great analogy. I don't think I've ever seen a squirrel get flat like that either. He sure provided a good lesson, huh?
Saw your comment on my blog. Thanks for the birthday wishes (it's the 16th). Hope you have a happy one later in the month, too!!
I see about a million squirrels a day, but I've never seen one do that. And I agree. I need some of that in my life, too.
I think if we would all, myself included, stop, drop and get flat more often we would be much more in tune with the Lord. I know I sure need to do that.
We have a squirrel,—uhmm bird feeder just outside our dining room window. The squirrel like it and probably scare the bird off. One day recently I looked out and saw a squirrel hanging upside down on it in order to get to the sunflower seeds. My husband is threatening to shoot it the next time he sees it. Come to think of it, I haven't seen any squirrels on it today. There may be a few less squirrels in our neighborhood already!!
Leah
very nice picture and you prove you are very honest.
I can recall one very specific time in my life I got down like this critter to be humble before God. I've never seen a squirrel do that.
Your blog & this post really caught my attention.
~ Wendy
So glad that you are back …
so glad that I stopped tonight. This summer has been so crazy that I have not visited some of my favorite blogs often. I always enjoy stopping by yours. Have a Happy Sunday! I have a giveaway going through Monday morning.
Getting flat before my Jesus this night, where distractions are few and the cool breeze of his Spirit is readily available.
Beautifully said.
peace~elaien
Great analogy Melinda. I've lain flat before the Lord, but need to fall before him more often. Prostrate's not always my first or favorite position… I'm a little slow sometimes. 🙂
Love and miss you!
Kathie