Lessons From My Hedgehog

Hopefully you’ll be able to watch this video—if not it’s of our hedgehog, Pixie, in her little activity area, almost in panic mode with a toilet paper tube stuck on her head as she scurries around.

Before anyone thinks they should call the animal abuse hotline let me set this disclaimer: our hedgehog will repeatedly put herself in this predicament. Within seconds after I free her, she typically runs straight back to a nearby tube, shoves her face in and then scampers back and forth with her head and the protruding tube swinging side to side, just like the hundred times right before!!!

Because hedgehogs are curious and like to explore I had read somewhere of providing them with not only their caged habitat but an extra space to play and “nose” around.

Pixie’s playpen includes a bridge made of popsicle sticks my daughter and husband created for her, a pvc pipe, plastic Easter eggs, and of course the empty toilet paper rolls.

Why our hedgehog chooses those cardboard tubes to mess with over everything else, I’m not sure but it is entertaining to watch.

It’s interesting though because, at times, she’ll have a tube covering her head and will calmly walk around this way. Other times she even falls asleep with one on. But nevertheless the freak-out moments always give way—where Pixie seems to go into panic mode probably wondering how she ended up like this and it’s then that I remove the tube and she relaxes once again…before eventually going back.

Like Pixie aren’t we sometimes prone to live in the moment, running to the things that we think are good and will satisfy, only to wind up in a frenzy?!

We’ve committed to a new diet but a handful of Doritos won’t hurt anything…until we’ve finished off the bag.

We’ve promised ourselves to save money but then the clothing magazine we’re subscribed to arrives and we “innocently” browse…and a shopping spree and overstuffed closet ensue.

We’ve decided to take a social media break, but when we find out our family reunion invite and details are posted on Facebook we intend to log-in and “just” quickly check it out…only to get distracted by the dozens of notifications we’ve missed over those weeks of absence…hours scroll by.

Ugh!!! And we were doing so good!

Let’s take a look at Proverbs 26:11 for a little insight on this:

‘As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.’

Disturbing and to the point but attention-grabbing, especially when we realize we have a situation of our own that’s maybe not in our best interest but has taken hold of our self-control and led to foolishness.

God never leaves us stuck though. He always provides a way out just like I do for Pixie.

1st Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you’re tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Such hope in those words! God will speak rationale over us and our choices but we must have listening and obedient hearts before our choices make us out to be fools.

Check out Ephesians 5:15-17 with me:

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

WE CAN KNOW HIS WILL BY—

  • Being in the word
  • Communicating to Him through prayer
  • Holding one another accountable
  • Slowing down, listening, and following His guidance through the Holy Spirit

My hedgehog will likely continue to return to the cardboard toilet paper tube time and time again because she has a bittersweet relationship with it and also because she lacks human wisdom.

We on the other hand, as Christians, are equipped and able. God’s word has zero error along with never failing direction so we are without excuse. Yes sin exist, but so does will-power and God desires to love and lead us in overcoming. I don’t want to make a fool of myself so I’ll humbly accept His offer.

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

39 thoughts on “Lessons From My Hedgehog”

  1. Aw! Pixie is so cute! But what a great lesson. You are absolutely right. So often I resolve to do better in a certain area. Then my flesh gets the best of me. It is not easy when we try in our strength. But thankfully we have God there to help take the toilet paper roll off of our noses and lead us in the right direction. May we remember to cling to Him daily, and trust His guidance. Thank you, friend! Great post! Have a wonderful weekend 🦋

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    1. Amazing what lessons we can learn through God’s blessings…and I thought I was just getting a rare pet.🤦‍♀️…
      she’s not a very friendly gal BUT God is still using her in my life to teach me and point me to Him.
      Thanks for reading Bridget, have a wonderful day.❤️

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    1. Yes that was the highlight of my day!! Did you get something figured out for a new blog theme?
      Pixie is about the size of a large potato….but with spikes too!!😬🦔she’s not nice!!

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      1. Pixie is adorable, Alicia! I know those spikes are sharp lol. Along with her attitude, I’m sure! Oh the lessons we learn from our pets!

        Like

  7. Pingback: Story Time- A Phone Call and Hedgehogs – Jesusluvsall's Blog

  8. Have you been looking at my snack options and opening my closet, Alicia?! 🙂 Your adorable hedgehog – and YOU – have surely spoken to me today, and not just about snacking and shopping or time wasted. Knowing and doing God’s will in every area is truly possible with His strength and guidance. Thank you for bringing that truth home so well!

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    1. 😂❤️🦔

      Patty, I love the way you’ve put this: ‘Knowing and doing God’s will in every area is truly possible with His strength and guidance.’
      We must allow His voice to speak louder than the enemy’s efforts.

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  11. PIxie is adorable!!

    I’m sending this to my husband to read. We’ve been going through some troubling times and I think he needs to hear this. It definitely stood out to me! You always seem to post exactly what I need to hear! 😀

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  13. Pixie is adorable and your words are so wise and true. I enjoyed the read and the Scriptural lessons Ali. You are doing such a wonderful job with your blog and ministry. Thank you for sharing the truth and setting all your readers (including myself) on the right path. ❤ Love and prays my mini me. You are so not my mini me. You outshine me. Your wisdom has grown and I have become foolish and distracted in my trials. Lord help me strengthen my feeble hands and weak knees.

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    1. Tina that’s not true at all, that’s the enemy’s lies.
      My mental struggle is still there, fear is the first emotion I can recall feeling from childhood (on through) and Satan uses it against me almost daily BUT God is still teaching me lessons and leading me to share them with others nevertheless. It’s been difficult for sure but I’m remaining close to Him and just writing what He puts on my heart. Let’s continue to pray for one another.❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

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  14. I love that you have a pet hedgehog named Pixie! Absolutely adorable! My children would be so jealous! And a great lesson to think about our patterns of behavior and learning to align them with God’s word.

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