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I was taking my morning walk along the street of our housing development, when I noticed a squirrel in the street, a distance ahead of me. “Oh, look at that. I’ve never seen a squirrel around here before.” 

I continued to stare at it and thought, “Wow, that squirrel sure is lazy. It hasn’t moved one bit.” 

As I walked closer, it’s shape became more defined and I realized it wasn’t a squirrel at all. It was a large bird. “Well, it’s lazy too. It’s not moving either.”

After walking even closer, I finally could see it clearly. It wasn’t a squirrel or a large bird. It was a large piece of bark from a nearby tree. I laughed at myself and knew my eyesight wasn’t what it used to be. As I’ve aged (I can’t believe I qualify for a senior discount at the movies), my vision has deteriorated and I’m finding these kind of experiences happen more often. But don’t worry, you can drive near me. I wear glasses while I’m driving!


That morning, I thought of I Corinthians 13:12-13: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

 Life is such a journey of seeing a circumstance and thinking it’s clear what it means. Then we get closer, and we think something else. In the end, we may or may not be able to figure out what God is doing. We only have the assurance that in heaven we’ll discover God’s works and ways to the fullest (if it’s even important to us then).


But what’s comforting and empowering while on this earth is realizing that three things “abide.” Three things are important to be clear about: faith, hope, and love. Whether things are good or bad, we can keep our faith, hope in God’s righteous deliverance, and choose to love (and know we are loved).

What seems unclear to you right now? Keep walking in faith, hope and love and God will make it clear to you as He desires. And if He doesn’t, then you can trust He knows what is best. Maybe it doesn’t matter whether it’s a squirrel, bird, or a piece of bark!