A Fierce Fisher
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 (NIV)
These are cute little critters. Since moving back to Tioga County, PA, I have only seen one and it took me a long time to figure out what I saw. Then I learned they can climb trees, have very soft fur and were introduced to this area to decrease the porcupine population. Peggy Frezon (All God’s Creatures) shares her fisher education.
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“Mike, I think this is a fisher,” I told my husband as we sat at the table, scanning images from our video doorbell. The previous day we’d seen a long, low dark shape slinking across the yard. Because of its stealthy beauty, I was immediately attracted to the animal. A quick web search helped reveal its identity. “Fierce,” I read online, and “one of the most vicious animals in the woods!”
Yikes! I learned that fishers are members of the weasel family and have been know to prey on domestic cats and small dogs. They may even climb trees and pounce on unsuspecting pets below, although they do prefer smaller rodents and squirrels, which make for a much easier meal.
I paused to remind myself that the fisher is one of God’s creatures, just trying to survive. But I also made the connection that what can seem attractive could also be harmful. Just the other day I’d felt a pang of regret as I sat on the porch with a group of friends and the talk turned into talking about a fifth friend, who wasn’t there that day. It wasn’t mean-spirited, I justified, but we were definitely gossiping. But then I thought of the ways it could be hurtful, possibly harmful, to that friend. I closed my mouth, but I was still listening.
Harmful habits like gossiping may slink around and be sneaky and pique my curiosity, then pounce on me when I am weak. Just like I protect my pets in the yard from the dangerous potential of the fisher, I have to protect myself from the dangerous potential of unhealthy habits. I thought back to the conversation on the porch and how I could have handled that better—I could have changed the subject, or if need be, walked away. I made a silent promise on making myself strong, so I won’t be an easy target for temptation and instead enjoy the bounty of beautiful friendships.
Heavenly Father, thank You for all of Your life lessons. May I always remember that when weaknesses strive to take me down, You, Lord, are the strength I can depend on. AMEN.