Birds, Squirrels, and Me

I have a bird feeder that my children gave me after Kelly passed. It has a little camera on it so I can watch the birds that come to visit. It’s brought me a lot of comfort — but also one big problem: the squirrels. They show up uninvited, bold as ever, acting like the feeder was made just for them.

I’ve tried more than ten different ways to keep them away. Every idea, every gadget, every “guaranteed” solution has failed. The squirrels don’t care what the advertisements say. They climb, jump, stretch, and wiggle their way to the food every single time.

Sometimes, when I have a moment, I watch the camera and as soon as I see a squirrel, I run outside to chase it off. At this point, I think it’s fair to say I’ve become the crazy squirrel lady. I laugh at myself, but it’s true.

Lately, though, I’ve realized I can’t keep fighting this battle. The squirrels are going to come whether I like it or not. So I’m learning to accept the uninvited guests. The birds still come. The squirrels still come. And somehow, there’s room for all of them. One of these days, I may try relocating the feeder or even giving the squirrels their own food source — but for now, I’m choosing peace.

Sometimes life brings things we never asked for and would never choose. These moments arrive like uninvited guests, settling themselves right into the middle of our days. Our first instinct is often to fight, to fix, to control every detail so nothing feels out of place. But all that striving can leave us exhausted and discouraged.

There comes a point when we realize that some things simply won’t bend to our will, no matter how hard we try. And in that moment, we’re given a choice. We can keep wrestling with what we cannot change, or we can loosen our grip and allow a little peace to enter the room.

When we choose acceptance, something shifts. The situation may not change, but our hearts do. Even in the middle of uninvited trials, blessings still find their way to us with small comforts, unexpected joys, quiet reminders that we’re not alone. 

Sometimes acceptance isn’t letting go of hope;

 it’s making room for a new kind of hope.