Where's the Squirrel?

Two years ago my husband and I visited Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire, England. Its history can be traced back to the seventh century when a monastic community was founded. In the tenth century the abbey came under Benedictine rule, and the Norman Abbey was built in 1090. The abbey was dissolved in 1539 and much of it was demolished and sold off as building material. The Pershore parishioners bought the remains and their church parish occupies it to this day. Although it is now a fraction of its original size, with only the original tower and south transept left, it is an awe-inspiring building.

Pershore Abbey

As we wandered around the Abbey and marvelled at its architecture, we came across these embroidered kneelers.

Kneelers

A plaque informed us that the designs on the kneelers are all taken from aspects of the Abbey's life and architecture. Several designs are based on carvings in the Abbey.

The kneeler below features a squirrel facing to the left and visitors to the Abbey are asked if they can find the carving used to make the design on the cushion.

We couldn't resist the challenge and searched for the squirrel. We got cricks in our necks as we looked up at the chancel ceiling. We strained our eyes as we sought the little creature in the carvings so far above us.

No signs of the little fellow, and soon our sore necks forced our gaze away from the lofty heights to the pillars which were nearer and not quite as high, although still out of our reach. But he was nowhere to be found.

Gothic arch

Eventually we almost gave up the search, but as a last resort turned our attention to the wooden pews next to us. We soon realised that  there was a carving at the end of each one.  Within a short time we found our elusive squirrel. All along the little fellow had been right next to us. He was not out of reach at all, in fact we could touch him and stoke the fine wooden grain of his glossy coat. We had spent a long time looking in all the wrong places. 

Squirrel carving on a pew

Sometimes I can't find God, I feel as though He is far away and out of reach, but then I realise that I'm not looking for Him in the right place. In Psalm 145:18 I read "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him on truth." Wow! I only have to call on Him, I don't have to seek Him in all sorts of far-off places.

In fact, God is always near me, for He says, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28.20 and "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9