A Lesson of God's care from a Skunk!

“Walk further down than usual today. No, don’t have time, need to get to church. You will get to church; it’s not much further to the next block.”

And so this conversation went in my head. I sensed an overwhelming push to keep walking on this warm, sunny morning. I knew I could do it and get back in time for a shower before service. I just felt lazy if truth be told.
The inner voice won and I continued walking to the next street where I turned around and headed where the path turned.
Deep in thought I almost missed the scene ahead. A small black animal with a white stripe down his back and tail was running onto the path and then back into the wooded area where I could not see him.
Stopping to think about the situation I again saw the animal run onto the path then back into the woods.
“What the heck was this skunk doing?” I didn’t have time to go back the way I came, but I certainly did not want to get sprayed either.
“I will wait until he runs back into the trees and then I will run as quickly as I can past him.” I thought.
With my left foot behind me and the right ahead I braced myself for the run. My heart raced as I thought about the possibility of running smack into this little creature. But I had to take the chance.
Sprinting quickly I got to the place the skunk had run onto the pathway. I looked to my left to see if he was coming back out again. My mouth dropped open as I took in the sight. The skunk was running in circles inside the clearing. He had something on his face. I looked closer; it was a yogurt cup! I stood very still as I considered my options.
“I can’t leave him like this.” I thought to myself. “What if he suffocates to death?”

I walked quietly into the clearing and spoke softly. Little by little the animal came closer to me. I sat down and continued to speak to him. I knew I was taking a chance of being sprayed; yet, a voice within was telling me to go ahead. Now I wondered how I would get the cup off this little guy’s face. He just sat there as if knowing I would be able to help him. Slowly I grabbed onto the cup and pulled. To my horror it would not budge. Now what?

“I could take him home with me and cut the object off his nose.” I thought out loud. I smiled as I imagined the look of surprise on my husbands face as I walked into the house with a skunk announcing I had a new pet.

“Get serious,” I scolded myself. There was one other option, hold onto his back and pull with all my might. I sat up in a ready position in case I needed to take off quickly. I prayed silently to myself for God’s help; after all wasn’t he the one pushing me to walk further on? Perhaps He had sent me to save one of His creatures. He takes care of the birds of the air doesn’t he? I slowly placed my right hand on his back; gently and carefully with my left hand I pulled on the cup.

What a surprise when the little guy reached up and placed his black claws inside the cup at the exact moment I began to pull. It was as if he knew I needed his help as well. The cup fell off. He quickly strutted off onto the path away from me. I stood up in disbelief. I had just had a close up and personal contact with a wild skunk. No one would believe this, how could they?

As I walked on home I pondered on my amazing experience. If I had not listened to that inner voice telling me to walk a bit further I would not have met up with the skunk. He would have suffered longer and perhaps died.

I smiled as I thought about God’s loving mercy in my life. Like this little creature, I can trust God will send help when I need it most. Like the skunk, I may have to struggle first. Sometimes I don’t know I need help until I have come to the realization I cannot do it alone anymore.

Another insight our gracious Lord gave me was the importance of listening to my inner spirit when it tells me to “go a little further” when I do not want to. Perhaps someone is struggling with some loss or pain in their life and I could be used by God to comfort or help them out. I could be the very person that shows someone in doubt of God’s presence in their life by showing God’s love by my action.
When I hear that inner voice telling me to do something I do not want to do; I could be missing out on an opportunity to serve God by helping someone in need.

If I find myself in a position where I feel God has lead me but I feel inadequate, I can be sure He will give me the means to reach out to another soul. He says in His word that nothing is impossible for Him. When Moses reacted in fear to God’s command to talk to Pharaoh God sent him an assistant; why would I be any different in times of uncertainty?

Oh, and in case you are wondering. No, I did not make it to church this particular morning. But I was in the presence of God just the same. How much more could I worship our Lord than by caring for one of His creations? Church is very important; but sometimes God has something more important to do for Him, like helping someone who, like our little friend the skunk, is in bad shape.