Moms vs Squirrels: Nesting Instincts

19364012_sAbout two weeks ago, it was a Saturday morning, the only day to sleep in, and we were so looking forward to pulling up the covers and sleeping for an extra hour. I know that every mom looks forward to a “sleep in” day.  My husband and I were so looking forward to that extra restful time.

Well, the following incident started about 3:00-4:00 am:
My husband and I both heard the scampering of feet above our heads in the attic. I am not sure why I thought if I turned over in bed, that the sound would go away, but that is what I did. A few minutes later, we heard the scampering of feet again. I grabbed my pillow, to cover my head, hoping that the sound would go away. Well, after a night of many interruptions of running feet, (I was determined by now, it was an army of little feet), we did not have the luxury of sleeping in.

After breakfast, I got on the computer to search, “How to remove squirrels from the attic.”  Just in case you may need this information in the future, here are a few of the things you can do:

  1. Find the opening in your attic, where the squirrel are entering.
  2. Purchase a squirrel trap for $49.95  and place in your attic
  3. Soak some rags with ammonia and place near the squirrels so they will exit the attic.
  4. Place a radio in the room below the attic, and have  the station on talk radio because squirrels do not like noise. (Hello, neither do humans when they are trying to sleep.)

I also read that this is the time of year for squirrels to mate and the time for mama squirrels to build their nests for their new arrivals. So all of that scampering I heard in the night, was “Mama” squirrel running around getting her “house” ready for her little ones.

Hmmmm, Mama squirrel got me thinking about human Mamas. So, I went to my near by source, Webster’s Dictionary, and looked up two words:

  1. Instinct:  a natural aptitude (ability, talent), impulse to react, or capacity.
  2. Nest: a bed, a place of rest, retreat or lodging, den or hangout.

So the conclusion to why moms do what they do is because God instills in moms a “nesting instinct”. It is natural, for us as moms, to care for our children.

When a wife finds out she is expecting her first baby, (second, third, fourth…) her heart fills with joy and excitement. She is going to be a mommy!! After hugs and kisses are exchanged with the daddy and phone calls are made to the new grandparents; she begins to make plans for her little one. The “nesting instinct” kicks into gear:

  1. The baby’s room needs to be set up.
  2. Mommy needs to eat healthy meals. (She is eating for two now.)
  3. She needs to purchase a crib, high chair, stroller, diapers, onesies, bibs, and a teddy bear…
  4. She needs to choose a good pediatrician.

The list goes on. In a few months, she can have an ultra sound to see if she is going to have a boy or girl. She can then finish the final touches to the nursery: color of paint for the walls, and picking out footballs or baby dolls. After all, she is working on her nest.

Hundreds and thousands of moms around the world work hard to make their homes ready to protect and provide for the needs of their little ones. The “nest” may be small, medium size or large, but it is the best for their family. Praise the Lord, we have houses to protect our families during this extra cold winter season. Moms keep their homes warm, fix meals, do the laundry, dust the furniture, sweep and clean the floors, striving to keep her house in order. I know that in today’s economy, moms may work part time jobs or try to stretch the dollar. She may also try to stretch the left overs for one more meal. Many moms may be heating their houses with a space heater, but one thing is for sure, moms will always provide a roof over their little darlings.

I commend moms every where to keep on keeping on. We salute you for your motherly instincts, ability and talents; knowing you will do all you can to protect your own!!!!!!

Matthew 6: 25-26   ” Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink. nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

God tells us that He will provide for what we need; and He will continue to care for us.  Some times our list of needs are not the same as God’s list. However, our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and when we need these things.

Matthew 6:31-32  “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? …for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

Tonight, mom, as you tuck your babies in bed, thank God that you have a “nest” for your little ones.

Philippians 4:19  “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

As my husband and I work on relocating a new home for the Squirrel family, we also will remember to thank God for His many blessings!

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