Is there an animal you have always wanted to see in the wild? Where do you think you could spot that animal?

 

I have long wanted to see a porcupine. Last week, my family was camping in the Porcupine Mountains. Surely I could find a porcupine there, right? Sadly, we did not spot one.

 

This week, we are camping in northern Wisconsin. Several nights ago, while driving back to camp after dark we turned a corner and our headlights shone on an animal walking off the road and into the woods—a porcupine! I squealed with delight.

 

My husband pulled off the road. Our family grabbed flashlights, hopped out of the truck, and walked into the dark woods hoping for another glimpse of this magnificent, prickly animal. We heard noise to our left and followed it. Summer night sounds filled the woods—frogs chirping, insects singing, and a Barred owl hooting its “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you—all?” chorus.

 

The rustling sound, which we assumed to be the porcupine, faded. We stopped, turned off our flashlights, and stood in the pitch black forest listening carefully. It was special to stand together in the dark wilderness listening for signs of animals.

 

We didn’t see the porcupine again. It escaped our attention and returned to its nighttime activities. But I’ll forever cherish that first glimpse of a porcupine in the wild, and standing in the nighttime wilderness as a family.

 

Have you ever felt afraid in the dark? Maybe it’s not actually a dark place like your yard at night—but a dark place in life. Challenges, disappointments, and sadness can make us feel alone in the dark, but we are never on our own.

 

As my family stood in the dark woods, we could no longer see the porcupine, but for a while we could hear it nibbling branches and walking. Similarly, even if we feel alone or fear God is not there, we can hear him. He speaks to us through his Word, the Bible, and through his Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of those who follow him. If ever you feel alone in a dark place of life, stop and listen closely. God is always near. And with him close by, darkness never wins. God’s light shines brighter than any darkness in our lives. He walks us through every dark place or season, and lights the way before us.

“Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 (NCV)

Dear God, thank you for all the creatures you made who are active at night. Thank you for always being with me and for triumphing over darkness by the light of your truth.

Fun Fact:

A porcupine can have around 30,000 quills!

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