Retirement:
a time to enjoy all the things
you never had time to do
when you worked.
–Catherine Pulsifer
One of my retirement pleasures is watching the circus squirrels in the strip of woods behind our house. They spiral the trunks in a speedy game of tag, balance at the tip of a branch without fear, and make dare-devil leaps from tree to tree.
One day I discovered those leaps are part of a habitual route squirrels follow to and from their homes. Turns out they do not gambol haphazardly from tree to tree but “lay out and follow (probably by scent) pathways through the branches.”[1]
Mammalogists surmise this behavior is especially handy when they’re in a hurry. When danger lurks, the little critters can high tail it home with ease.
Sometime later the Spirit combined what I was learning about squirrels with what I knew about brain research (from teaching elementary school), and taught me an important lesson.
First the brain research: We create neural pathways in our brains with behavior. The more we repeat a behavior, the stronger and more deeply imbedded that behavior-pathway becomes until it is habit.[2]
The lesson? Like the squirrels that lay out pathways through the trees to their nests, we can lay out pathways in our brains that lead home to the refuge of our Heavenly Father.
The question becomes, what are the branches that can make a habitual pathway to God?
I believe scripture truths form the stoutest limbs. As we memorize encouraging verses and pray them again and again, the pathways of faith, strength, peace, and more become embedded—not only in our minds but in our spirits. Reciting them back to their Author propels us into his Presence.
What might be some worthwhile passages to include? Oh my. The Bible offers a whole forest of reliable scripture-branches, ready to become part of the pathway into God’s sanctuary.
Here are a few of my favorites, though less traveled than some scriptures. You probably won’t find these on a list of “Top Ten Most Popular Bible Verses”—I checked! But they’ve proven particularly helpful to me.
First:
You do not realize now what I am doing,
but later you will understand.
John 13:7
Granted, Jesus spoke these words to his disciples the night of his arrest, so some would frown on applying them personally. But the way this verse turned up during my quiet time one morning, precisely when I needed reminding of God’s wisdom and intentionality, led me to accept it as his confirmation for the moment. Again and again, he has brought this truth to my mind.
Second:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Those negative emotions of worry, fear, hopelessness, and more can be whisked out of the way, as we focus on everything positive and follow this reliable branch to God’s peace and joy.
Third:
We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Each of us was created for God’s glory—to reflect his attributes—and accomplish good works. Therefore, our lives have purpose and value. That’s a strong branch to follow back to his affirming Presence when worthlessness wants to knock us down.
The more time we spend traversing such scripture-truths, the more we absorb God’s thoughts and the more secure, contented, and useful our lives become.
Like the squirrels boldly scampering through the trees, we can confidently follow such pathways as these into the joyful presence of our Heavenly Father.
Come run with me!
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 NIV
What scriptures offer stout branches for your pathway to God’s presence? Please share in the Comments section below!
[1] https://www.berkshireeagle.com/arts_and_culture/entertainment/take-me-outside-squirrels-act-as-arboreal-acrobats/article_401341f4-5787-53cd-952b-218eeea93562.html#:~:text=Squirrels%20lay%20out%20and%20follow,to%20go%20in%20a%20hurry.
[2] https://healthtransformer.co/the-neuroscience-of-behavior-change-bcb567fa83c1
Art & photo credits: http://www.[xhere.com; http://www.flickr.com (2); http://www.recreation.gov; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.stocksnap.io; http://www.flickr.com; www. pxhere.com.
From the Inside Out 
amen and amen… I will run with you
I know you’re with me on the pathway, Brenda. It’s so good to have sisters to run with!
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. ~Micah 6:8
This is my life verse, Nancy, and I can’t be reminded enough to love my fellow travelers and to have a humble heart before the Lord. I’m partial to squirrels, so loved your analogy here, too. You can see why when you visit my website: http://www.gladetrilogy.wix.com/theglade
If you’d like the first two copies of my books, please send me your mailing address and I’ll get them out to you as soon as possible. This goes for all your readers, too! Mailing addresses can be sent confidentially at my website.
Blessings!
That’s a wonderful life verse, Martha. The goal of acting justly toward others, with mercy and humility, would surely lead to godly choices. Thank you for your gracious offer to send out your booksMy granddaughter is on the last book of her current series, and will be ready soon for another!
Love that analogy. Thanks.
You’re welcome, CG. I’m so glad you found the analogy meaningful!
fascinating and inspiring.
Thank you, Jean, and praise God for his inspiration! I pray your week has been highly meaningful.
Thank you very much for sharing such a blessed post.Take care.🌹🙏
Thank you, Francis. I’m delighted you found blessing here!
My pleasure.🌹🙏
This is a wonderful post, Nancy. Your analogy of squirrels forming habitual pathways through the trees as an aide to their survival being similar to the habitual neural pathways we form in our thinking processes, makes perfect sense!
My favorite chapter in the Bible is Psalms 103, particularly the following verses:
Psalm 103:8-14
New International Version
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Praise God for His love, compassion, and amazing grace!
By the way, we don’t have any tree squirrels here in east central New Mexico. We have lived here since 2010, and I am often outdoors, but I have never seen a single tree squirrel. We do have prairie dogs, however, which are considered ground squirrels! Hmmm.. I wonder if they have habitual routes underground? 🙂
I too love Psalm 103, Linda–so much so I memorized it a few years ago. David included such superb encouragement. Is it possible to read/recite its truths without being uplifted? I don’t think so! You’ve included my favorite verse among yours: “He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust” (v. 14, HCSB). Praise God he’s not disgusted with us each time we fail, but delights in lavishing his grace and compassion (v. 13) as he removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west (v. 12). Hallelujah!
I wrote a song based on Psalm 103 a few years ago. Wish I could include the music. I sing it like a soft lullaby:
We are never too broken
we can’t fall so far
that God’s grace cannot find us
wherever we are…
As far as the east
is from the west
so far has He removed our sins from us
and as high as the heavens
are above the earth
so great is our Father God’s
love for us
That’s why we’re never too broken
we can’t fall so far
that God’s grace cannot find us
wherever we are…
no, you are never too broken
you’ll never fall so far
that God’s grace cannot find you
wherever you are!
Oh, Linda, that’s beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Regarding the ‘brain’ research part of your post. That totally explains OCD to me. OCD is a that repetitive behavior which is hardwired into the brain being totally out of control due to low levels of seratonin. I praise the Lord for pointing me to a doctor who prescribed just the right medication for me…without any side effects. But most of all I thank Him for the vast improvements I have made due to the Lord guiding me to the perfect scriptures at the times I needed them the most. These same scriptures have helped alleviate fear, anxiety, and depression. His Word is definitely a lamplight unto my feet as I run the course!
Amen, Cheri! I praise God for the light of scripture to illuminate my course, alleviate fear, anxiety, depression, and more. That’s not to say we don’t need the miracle of medicine sometimes! I’m very thankful for its assistance in the case of family members who have suffered from depression. I’m so glad your doctor was able to adjust your seratonin levels successfully!
Nancy,
Thank you, always inspiring! Yes, I have time now to watch the squirrels and learn about them and stretch until they make it to the neighbor’s bird feeder. That is suppose to be squirrel proof also enjoy the birds. Always so much to learn from Scripture. I am leading a small group in my home on a study in Philippians along with many others really love to study it. Joy!
Love to you and Steve
Considering all the hours you’ve spent in Bible study, Janet, you could probably take a test and be awarded a doctorate in Biblical Studies! And yet you continue! I know you love every minute of it too, because scripture IS precious treasure to you (Psalm 19:10). I am so grateful for your example!
Dear Nancy, we have the same ‘squirrely’ show going on daily here at our house and your post made me smile so much. I had no idea that what looks haphazard to me is actually of God’s design.
So–what Scripture(s) provide a “stout branch for my pathway to God”?
Always Psalm 84:5, the theme of my book of poetry but also a theme for my life the last many years:
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.”
The pilgrimage is the pathway….
Bless you, friend.
Hello Jody!! How delightful to see your name in my inbox! Thank you for stopping by with your wonderful scripture–already underlined in my Bible! Unlike our squirrel friends, we can set our hearts to follow God’s straight pathway–His plan to produce the most good–until we reach heaven. A worthy goal for each day!
Nancy, hi! I would be more than happy to ship a few squirrels your way. These feisty beasties are attempting to demolish our bird feeders, stampeding through my newly planted flowers, and making us crazy.
;}
Oh, Linda, I am sorry your squirrels are so mischievous! The only bird feeder we own is for hummingbirds, specifically because squirrels are not drawn to sugar water! What a nuisance that their “run” at your house goes right through the new flowers! I wonder if a savvy gardener has shared on the internet an effective deterrent? No doubt you’ve checked! (They are quite impervious to human intervention when it comes to their habits and their food!)
Great post and analogy!! Very interesting and such a great way for God to speak a lesson for you to pass on.❤️
Hi Nancy,
Phil 4:8. “All things work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose” The book of Philipians and James.
Thank you,
Gary
And Romans! Yes, praise God for his ability and desire to bring good out of every situation. Hallelujah!