Wayne Weekly “Tough Nuts to Crack”
Written by Teddy on October 16, 2015
On my way to work Friday morning I spotted a gray squirrel sitting on the green between my neighbor’s sidewalk and the road. There he was, sitting atop the wet leaves, his tiny paws grasping a black walnut that had fallen from the tree nearby. It was amusing to watch the squirrel rotate the walnut in a systematic fashion in sync with his gnawing sharp teeth. It was obvious that he was methodically stripping away the walnuts “outer pericarp”, (ok, so I looked it up) or let’s just say husk. It would get more difficult when he reached the hard shell, but with those teeth…well equipped!
What a wonder to see this familiar creature work his hardest to reach the treasure inside. Though his attention was focused on the chore at hand (or paw), it was just as obvious that he also was “on guard” against anybody or anything that would endanger his life. Multitasking, no doubt.
Most of us have some “tough nuts to crack” in life. Perhaps they show up as annoying habits. Perhaps they emerge as a character “flaw” that we struggle with. But often those tough nuts are others that have been placed in our paws.
People can be the toughest of all nuts to crack. Gelling with others can be a monumental task at times. If those “so called tough nuts” are other believers, well… we are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We’re expected to “bear one another’s burdens”. We’re directed to “dwell in unity” with fellow Christians.
Whatever, or whoever, are the “tough nuts to crack” in our journey through life, we need to remember at least three things:
- God has given us the fruit of the Spirit which includes patience and love ability.
- We are commanded in the Word to strive for peace and unity with one another.
- We might be the “tough nut” in someone else’s paws.
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
