Photo ©2026 by Amber Jurgensen
Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, May 6, 2026
We were clearing some fallen branches caused by early spring storms when this squirrel came running up to us in cautious stops and starts. At first, we thought it was asking for a handout, although that would be unusual for squirrels in these woods. We talked to it and said sorry we didn’t have any food. It looked us up and down for a moment, since we were standing right beside the tree it was on. Then it put on the gas and zoomed by us, following the same downed tree in the picture. The tree trunk curved up and up about twenty feet into the air where it was hung up on another tree. Some of the trees are very long and thin. The squirrel followed it right up and jumped onto the other tree, and from there ran across a branch onto yet another tree.
We looked at each other in amazement. We had just witnessed a close encounter of a squirrel following its freeway through the trees. This fallen tree was conveniently its onramp. It hadn’t been interested in us; we were just in its path! It even braved getting near people to stay on its desired course.
It reminds me of these well-known verses.
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
Psalm 119:105-106
When we know the right path to take, we want to cautiously analyze dangers along the way, but we know it will get us to where we want to go.