Critters Speak (Listen In)

By Elouise H Hults

Life continues from moment to minute to hours, then days, and beyond. Within and often seen much throughout these times are critters.

They come in various sizes, colors, alone, or with others. Each behaves in a God-designed manner and is rather interesting.

When an individual takes time to notice one or more critters, what they do and how they do it often speaks God's clear and personal message. That could be exactly what the viewer needs in their current situation.

Critters may declare hope-filled information, direction, and maybe even a warning. Next time you see a critter, allow yourself to take notice of what you see and learn whatever is portrayed for you. It'll be both fun and instructive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887516745

Book preview

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Critters Speak (Listen In)

Elouise H Hults

ISBN 979-8-88751-673-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-674-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Elouise H. Hults

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Reliable Canadian Geese (Persistent Regardless)

Footprints (We've Been Noticed)

Munching Deer's Message (Wait and Trust)

Oh, Deer (Make a Friend)

It's Available to Me (No One Will See Me)

Mr. Squirrel (Do What You Can)

That Cat (Sharing)

Robin Redbreast (Spring Arrives)

Spring Peepers (Give God Praise)

As God Planned (Entrust Your Children to God's Care)

Attitude ('Tude)

The Hog (I Was Here First)

Ralph (Being Yielded to the Lord Can Change One's Destiny)

Mouseness Unwanted (Working with the Unexpected)

How Will My Desires Smell? (Think about It)

Mice (Truth Revealed)

No Salt (Christians Need to Be Salty)

Ant (I'm Here Can't You See Me)

Ants Can. So Can I. (Faithful)

No Secrets (No-No)

Keep the Door Shut (No Rodent Allowed)

Mother's Day Bird (Mom's Love)

That Peacock (Lost Self-Confidence)

Love of a Donkey (Friends)

Momma Turkey (Mom's Teachings)

Missing Hot Dog Rolls (Unexpected)

Miss Preen (Cancel Laziness)

Is This the Same Dog? (Older Christians' Reactions)

Oh Me, Oh My. (Aiming for Control)

Butterflies (Beauty Attracts)

Be at Peace—Fourth of July (Undisturbed)

Woodchuck (I Gotta Have My Will)

At a Distance (We Are Being Watched)

Teenage Bear (Notice. Care. Be There.)

Sweet Personality (Childlike Innocence/Faith)

Not Mine. No Matter. (Bully)

Mr. Owl (No Fear. God Sees You.)

That Flying Squirrel (Notice Me)

Miss Doe (Care about/for Strangers)

Pup-a-do (Friendship Jealousy)

Pets Trust (We Trust God)

Yard Bear (Are We Being Watched?)

Are You Listening? (Don't Just Hear—Listen)

That Horse's Message (The Lord Keeps Us Safe)

Turkey Cross (What Are You?)

The Black Bear (What to Do When Temptations Come)

Injured Critters (Compassion)

Black Baby (God Makes Provision for Our Needs Well in Advance)

Peeping in Our Lives (Wants to Be First to Know)

Seek God's Face (Yes, Do So Anytime)

Eagles (Trusting Their Creator)

Bighorn Sheep (It's Tough What We Must Do)

Raccoon's Lesson (Seek God First)

A Little David (1 Samuel 17) (Your Own Ability Is Good Enough)

Rescued (Answers to Needs)

We Are Needed (Please Notice Me and Care)

Spider (Seen or Not I Am Here)

Remember Me (Self-Interest)

Ugly Bug (Aroma or Odor? Oh My)

Mr. Chipmunk (God's Calling)

Being Watched (Never Alone)

The Kitten (Kids)

We've Got a Bat (What Is It? Be Vigilant)

Mouse to Bat (Think about That)

Just Ordinary (All Ordinary Are Important to God)

It's Mine (God's Provision)

Deer's Meal (Christmas)

The Flying Fly (Self-Assured Fly)

Rescue Is on the Way (Watching Out for Us)

Caught (You and I and Others Will Know)

Mr. Jay (God Cares)

Smiley (Stay Happy)

Many More Are Out There (Take Notice. Be Blessed.)

About the Author

To you, my reader, and to my Jesus

Without His love and constant care, this would not be possible.

Fun for Us

Critters are fun.

Watch them run,

Climb, or play

In their own special way.

They come tall.

They come small.

They are bright

Or simply dull.

They are here

Or over there,

Surrounding us

Just everywhere.

They have families,

And even friends.

Interesting lives

Speak about them.

They come in.

They go out

With their choice

Or without.

Yes, they chat

With one another,

Touching us—

Like no other.

They all will say.

That they are swell.

Are you hearing

Their show-and-tell?

They're reaching out.

God's plans well laid

For us to learn

By their visual aid.

He's teaching us

Through all of them.

Come, they're talking,

And listen in.

Preface

We have an open bird feeder. My husband Lew designed and made this opportunity for birds, and any critter that may be able to fit in it, to eat in any weather and be out of the rain or snow.

Many and varied birds plus small critters visited our backyard. It is edged on three sides by woods. This area provides favorable time and protection for any critter of any size to come and eat. Lots of grass, dropped autumn apples, and scattered variety of leftover foods such as empty corncobs, apple cores, popcorn, bread, cookie chunks, cubes, or crumbs, pretzels, chips, etc.; even unwanted leftover cooked potatoes are placed there for critters. Critters by the many obviously shared the information of our tossed-out and available foods for the taking. They come providing entertainment for all in-the-house watchers.

The frequent and varied visitors to our backyard inspired the idea to design this restaurant, mostly for birds, but would accept small critters as well, for their safety and our pleasure. And so the fully open twelve-inch-wide by twenty-inch-long and ten-inch-high with-a-roof feeder was built, and it's attached on top of two-in-hole cement-secured twelve-foot-high, four-by-four-inch boards.

Now these hungry critters are providing food for thought to us their viewer. We find them special, unique, interesting, fun, at times disturbing, but always displaying advice, teachings, and examples for our learning, sharing or just simply enjoying. This process has opened my eyes to see, take note of other critters elsewhere—and, oh, the learning I have received through so many of them at their varied and unexpected locations.

There is never a coincidence. Whatever critter comes our way through its individual process is never by accident. God has either allowed it to be so or specifically directed it just for our benefit. Each critter's behavior has a lesson for us. As you read Critters Speak, do listen in and receive whatever the Lord has for you.

Introduction

These stories began when the deer arrived with their Hi.

Squirrels came with hunger intact.

Birds flew in by many sizes and colors.

News got around we liked critters.

All were welcome in our backyard,

To a sheltered restaurant

With food for the taking.

Critters came

They ate

We enjoyed

They taught

We learned

Soon others gave notice

I'm here, see and hear

God's Word just for you

It'll be nice

It'll be fine

Then I noticed critters elsewhere

Talking to me

Where'er I may be

Lessons were endless

Teachings go on

God's messages are here and out there

Take time, take note

What's in plain sight

Their fear and faith

Through their life

Day-to-day, morning through night

Critters in sight

They give pleasure, even joy

Sharing life's experiences

So we can learn

To trust, believe, know

God is with us

We are not alone

He cares—to care

For critters of varied

Shapes, types—tiny to huge

He's certainly available for me and you

So see, hear, notice, listen

Those critters are speaking

As we watch those happenings before our eyes.

May we never forget all they've worked through their actions for our teaching

Apply and use for our growth and learning for the glory of God.

Reliable Canadian Geese (Persistent Regardless)

(Persistent Regardless)

Twice a year, my northeast location enjoys the comings and goings of Canadian geese.

Their annual arrival can be anytime within the month of March or early April and the latter end of August or into September. Spring's beginning; these geese fly back to Canada, and then in early autumn, these excellent birds once again fill our skies as they head back south.

By a few or many geese arrive in their distinct patterns of a V shape. Their most welcome presence appears in our area. Their familiar and welcome honk turns one's attention. Spectators position themselves to watch these beautiful birds—with their black heads, white cheeks, and long black necks—head north in the spring or south in autumn.

Encouragement fills the thoughts and wishes of each viewer. Spring's north-flying geese declare warmer weather is coming. Those upcoming and scheduled time-off days bring forth thoughts of summer plans. Winding down of winter's climate and now thawing snow sits people around the table or at a computer and prepare for upcoming camping, traveling, visiting, or whatever is chosen for a hope-filled summer vacation.

Emotion fills the heart as these birds, weighing six or more pounds and wearing a wingspan of up to seventy-three inches, communicate with each other. This unknown-to-us language comes across as honking.

But these birds are talking with each other. Who is going to do the leading next time? It's a tough job being the point at the end of the V, which a leader must take. Yet as this position is taken, air currents flow over Mr. Leader, helping the others, all followers, save energy as they do their flights.

These birds do know what is going on among themselves and where they plan to settle for the night. This very route had previously been traveled by mom and dad; their offspring are then able to do this same many thousand-plus-mile trips on dependable regularity. The exact day this takes place we may not know. It is certain they do and are following their God-given built-in instinct season calendar. Their wish to rest will be near some wetlands, preferably where they might feed on leaves, flowers, seeds, berries. These beautiful birds can be found grazing on someone's private lawn or in a public park and maybe even on a golf course.

Seeing and hearing these geese fly north helps one to begin counting off the weeks for summer's special plans to become reality. What is hoped to be the last snow's accumulation of the season and with its just around the corner spring and summer activities incite one to work hard in preparation for that very warm season.

And then all too soon summer's lawn-mowing green days accompanied with cheerful bright colors and warm temperature sweater-free days begin to change to deeper-colored flowers and multicolored leaves put people into lightweight jackets. Temperatures have grown cooler.

Then these very geese are again heard. Those high-flying birds are going south. Look, there they are, is said as people search the sky to spot these fine critters as they fly high. A deep sigh accompanies an Oh my as geese come into sight. The season has changed. Spring has gone through summer, now moving on to autumn and then into the blustery cold winter. When that happens, Canadian geese head for warmer climate.

I often hear these birds before I see them. There I stand mesmerized looking up to find them and watch as these lovely birds are seen smoothly and confidentially moving overhead. They are wanted to be seen at spring's arrival, and then our smiles turn upside down as these go across the sky for their winter trip south, as people are so named as they too head south when winter blows in. God's preplanned schedule sends them south so they can be free from winter's cold and enjoy the comfort of our southern agricultural areas.

They remain faithful and true for what they all know to do. Yes, north in early spring and south in early autumn is God's design and plan for Canadian geese. In so doing, all of us interested persons enjoy watching their comings and goings. It is satisfying to observe their faithfulness in these flights. We all love being a witness to this process.

And then we ask ourselves, Am I equally as dependable? Oh, yes, life has its complexities and requirements at home, at work, even at church. Life's routine remains, and our name gets attached to a specific something. That very thing, action, position, responsibility falls at our doorsteps on a regular basis.

Bummer, we may say, not again. Can't this one, that person, or someone else give me a break? Such words may get expressed even when we know we would do it best. Truth be known, we really don't mind being responsible.

Canadian geese don't complain, they simply stay reliable. So then why do we complain? Certainly there are as many excuses and some valid reasons as there are people wanting to be exempted from an assignment. We all have our opinions, our answers to vindicate us from why we would rather not.

Excuse me, I am unable to do that this time or get involved in such a situation or carry out what is expected that I am supposed to be available to do. Thus, we attempt to justify our absence from our responsibility.

In so doing, our trustworthiness is no longer reliable. We have become untrustworthy, and out the window flies away our loyalty. As we look forward with expectancy to those very geese's biannual flights and still want to do the job my way at my time, if at all, unfortunately our expectedness gets shot down, as a hunter may do to one of these geese, when we fail the doing, participating in, of what was expected of us. The system, the process was routine, and we were expected to fulfill that position.

When we get to that point in our opinion with the I just can't do it now, remember those Canadian geese. They stay and remain faithful regardless of the weather or possibility of danger that may come their way. When issues happen, and I'm sure they do, they just continue on. Let's not be upstaged by a bird. When stuff comes to our path, against our preference, or we feel we just can't go on, remember geese also get tired, yet they keep on a-flying. With God's strength, we can too.

There they are

Can you see them

Passing through the sky?

High and many wide

Geese cannot hide.

Honking language

Conversation

Tells us they are there.

Love 'em dearly

For they are clearly

Migrating from south to north

Only to turn around

Five months later and

Fly back north from the south.

We as well can do

Our responsibility too

With God's help,

The same as the geese have,

We will make it through.

I can do all I need to do through Christ's strength. He will give me all I need to have. (Philippians 4:13)

Footprints (We've Been Noticed)

(We've Been Noticed)

It was late March. Snow remained plentiful, and still another snowstorm brought in an accumulation aplenty. The backyard was hidden far beneath the fresh white smooth surface.

Living near woods brings interesting critters for our viewing. Lots of deer, fluffy rabbits, speedy squirrels, moles tunneling to their holes, occasional cats, and other small four-footed critters, plus numerous birds with their pencil-point-thin legs and feet leave evidence over our snow-covered yard they are or have been around, but this morning, different footprints caught our attention.

These were large, very large, imprints deep in the snow. They appeared to be from the woods about one hundred feet north of us to our deck, made a small circle, doing a bit of digging, and then moved on to the west into our neighbor's property. Where they went from there, we did not investigate. We were just amazed by their size.

Lew went outdoors and compared these footprints with his size 9 boots. They were as long but much wider, including long nail prints. Whoa! We were spellbound.

Had a bear come our way?

Bears have visited other properties in our area but have never been seen on ours. Unfortunately we did not get to see this critter, but its footprints were clearly seen. We were curious, but more intrigued with interest to the what and why.

We've always been captivated with the many varied trails and tracks left by food-searching critters. Now and then a different footprint spikes our interest with arrangement and size of each one, providing wonderment to what might have been the hope-filled destination of the critter wearing such feet.

Yet seeing those large critter footprints reminded me of my own footprints.

How have my footprints been unmistakably visible with the when, where, and why they were left? Who noticed? What was their assumption of me? Had those footprints been worth a second look?

It is for certain our comings and goings are learned and shared with others. What would then be the discussion? Would it reflect the Lord encouraging the whisperer to want Him in their lives?

Are we seen, or was it just the footprints we left behind that sent their viewer to follow where we were going? If we became aware of a follower, how would we react? Would that knowledge change our direction, destination?

Those extra-large footprints, which came rather close to our deck, told us a critter had been physically here, but was not seen; nevertheless, it was very aware of us.

Footprints in the snow.

Footprints on the sidewalk.

Footprints in the building.

Wherever we go, we leave footprints.

Footprints are seen, heard, visuals we choose,

places we enter, things we touch, consume,

purchase, lifestyle, mannerisms, and, yes, our dress.

Anywhere here or there are our footprints.

Footprints never stop.

Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. (Psalm 17:5)

Being followers of us, and of the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Munching Deer's Message (Wait and Trust)

(Wait and Trust)

It has been one bitter and blustery cold and snowy January. Driveway, sidewalk, and decks lay covered with still more inches