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food for thoUght

DESPERATE TIMES

AND THE SQUIRREL

BY PETER STOFFBERG

he world is vast and extraordinarily complex.
The growth of technology adoption,
Taccelerated by the global lockdown has made
this increasingly evident.

Every now and again we encounter something that
opens a door into a world we never knew existed. It
could be the alien-like world 7 000 metres under the
surface of the ocean where strange undiscovered
creatures appear on high tech video feeds, or the very CHURCH
ordinary yet unfamiliar world of suburban gardens on IN OUR HOMES
other continents. I have found the latter surprisingly
interesting, and entertaining.
Apparently, there’s a war raging between people
who like to put food out for birds, and the squirrels
who like to steal it for themselves. Who knew? The
very best example has to be a 20-minute YouTube
spectacular showcasing an elaborate ‘Ninja-Warrior’ SCRIPTURE PRAYER WORSHIP SERVING
type obstacle course designed to test the strength,
ingenuity and sheer perseverance of its squirrel
competitors. The performance of one squirrel named
‘Phantastic Gus’ is especially memorable. You can
search YouTube for that name to see for yourself.

The desperate lengths that the squirrels go to in order
to conquer these human contraptions is astounding, www.familychurch.online
and they just don’t quit. Their tenacity has carved a
niche for a never-ending assortment of ‘squirrel-proof’
bird feeders available for purchase, and an even wider LIVE every Sunday at 9h30
range of DIY solutions.

The allure of the vast quantities of food flaunted It’s easy to pursue something that looks like the
by the bird feeders must be terribly tempting for best way out, only to find that it brings with it
squirrels, but having watched this and a number complications and far reaching consequences. We
of other videos, I can’t often only find that out way too far down the road.
imagine that it’s actually
worth all their time and In desperate times, like any other times, the best
effort. Surely, they would opportunities are always God’s opportunities, and
be better-off foraging they often come looking like hard work and patient
for naturally occurring perseverance, but their reward is real and enduring. If
suburban seeds and fruit you’re struggling right now and find that everything
that aren’t protected by you try just seems to make things worse, why not try
these devious human a new door? It may open up a whole new world that
designs? Perhaps was always there, but that you never knew existed.
squirrels just don’t think
that way, and perhaps we The lockdown has also brought with it an ever-
can be a little like them? growing array of online Church services. It’s never
been easier and less intimidating to link up with
We’re in unprecedented people who can help you to connect with God
and dffficult times. through Jesus Christ. Reach out, you’re not alone, and
Desperate times are it’s never too late.
calling, and there are
measures available that
promise big payouts.

Connect with us for a virtual coffee date on connect@familychurch.online.

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