Feed the squirrels! That was not my first reaction to the frisky rodents that ravaged our fruit crops last summer. My initial inclination was to eradicate as many of the bushy-tailed pests as possible. But the impossibility of removing squirrels from our yard and the counsel of our son’s family – along with their gift of a squirrel feeder and a bag of “critter food” – caused me to rethink my approach. Feeding the squirrels seems to be an answer that is better aligned with the Bible and is likely to produce more satisfactory practical benefits.
Our pear trees blessed us early this year with a dazzling display of immaculate white blossoms. Other flowering trees have joined the festival of blooms. Brilliant yellow forsythia, vibrant red buds, and even some dogwoods have burst winter’s bonds on our spirits. Unlike the unproductive Bradford pear flowers that look pretty but have no lasting significance, the regal blossoms on our pear trees offer the promise of delectable fruit in months to come.
Last year the pear trees also bloomed with tantalizing glory. A profusion of pears set shortly after the flower petals dropped. We had been waiting for several years for the trees to mature and to produce abundant fruit. We eagerly anticipated eating luscious pears, pear cobbler, and pear preserves. Then the squirrels attacked! One day the trees were weighted with developing pears, and the next the pears were totally stripped from the trees. Not a single pear was spared to ripen. Later in the season a similar squirrel raid decimated our first-ever crop of scuppernongs and Muscatine’s. One day we found the vines laden with grapes ready to pick, and the next day not one grape remained in the arbor.
I hunted squirrels as a teenager. Almost any morning or afternoon I could easily bag 4-8 on a leisurely hunt. My first longing after the squirrels raided our precious pears and grapes was for the double-barrel 410 shotgun that had sent many of their kindred to meet their maker years ago. Of course, living in a city neighborhood and the prospects of a blind man taking a shotgun after the squirrels were at least two reasons why this was not a good idea! I wondered about other methods for eradicating the squirrels. Setting poison baits intended for wildlife is against the law. Oversized rat traps are far too cumbersome and messy to set, monitor, and maintain. A friend has used live traps and relocation of snared pecan thieves, but with limited success.
Our son did some online research into controlling squirrels in urban neighborhoods. The answer: feed them! Because squirrels are territorial, the squirrels already living in our trees are unlikely to allow others to patronize the new diner hanging in our tree.Thus the population should not increase. If they have plenty of the foods they prefer (sunflower and other seeds and grains) many wildlife specialists say that squirrels are much less likely to go after things farther down their list of favorite foods. So as fruit begin to set, it is time to feed the squirrels.
The strategy for soothing animosities certainly should extend far beyond dealing with pesky squirrels. Clashes between people who come to regard each other as enemies may be addressed by similar methods. Frighteningly too often, people resort to guns and obliteration of perceived enemies. From wise Solomon (see Proverbs 25:21-22) on through Jesus and Paul, another way has been counseled for those who seek to live God’s way.
Jesus gave the foundational principles for relating to those with whom we take offense. Eugene Peterson’s rendering helps to make Jesus’ words clear: “No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best-the sun to warm and the rain to nourish-to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? (Matthew 5:42-46a MSG) Attempts to vanquish identified enemies have a consistent record of failure in everything from civil disputes to world wars. Jesus tells us to take another approach. Instead of obliterating our opponents, we are to love them as God loves them.
Paul takes his cues from Jesus and from Proverbs, highlighting the practical action we are to take: “If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. {18} Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.. {20} Instead, as the scripture says: ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.’ {21} Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-18, 20-21 GNT) If we take the risk, love others with practical actions, and let God work in their hearts, we may find that we all benefit from celebrating God’s good gifts of life together.
Feeding the squirrels doesn’t come naturally to me. But they surely are entertaining to have playing acrobatically and chucking in the rhythm section of nature’s symphony in our yard. I can learn to feed those perceived enemies of fruit harvest. I wonder what would happen if everyone from world leaders down to neighbors and coworkers began to feed and care for the thirsts of people we perceive as enemies. The strategy has been there for us in the pages of the Bible for centuries – and in God’s heart for all eternity.
- J. Edward Culpepper
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