Relevant Reflections Little Foxes

The other morning, I woke up early to sit on the back porch, and could hear the high school band practicing echoing from the mountain. The school buses are in route, kids are getting ready and adjusting to a new routine, and life has kicked into full swing at the snap of a finger. Most of us have not yet recovered from summer, and suddenly the to-do list has piled up, and our calendars are full of events, games, parties, and appointments. We find ourselves so over occupied that we quickly lose sight of the beauty around us. On my daily drive back and forth to the house, getting the kids to practice and the usual juggle, I noticed a small fox always crossing the street in my local neighborhood. The first few times, I just kept going, but later, the next day and then the day after that, he did it again, and every now and then, he had a little fox friends tagging alongside. It was then I knew the Lord was trying to show me something, so I asked Him to speak that I may understand, and in that moment, I heard the Lord say, "Pay attention to small foxes."

Immediately the scripture Song of Solomon 2:15 comes to mind, which says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines for our vines have tender grapes." Often, we get busy and distracted by what seems to be big or majorly important in the moment, and we disregard the significant things God wants us to take care of and give sight to. It's the little things that later become big.

Song of Solomon 2:15 (KJV)

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE

He is calling his people to pause, "Selah," meditate and rest as He would like to speak to His children face to face as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:1). "Little foxes", refers to small things such as sin, attitudes, or habits we often overlook that eventually become BIG issues if not addressed in their proper time. Small things like jealousy, gossiping, overworking, anger, bitterness, and unforgivingness, if not dealt with, can become detrimental to our overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In this season, the Lord wants to reset and readjust us to live healthy lives as believers, but we will not recognize what we have and already possess - sweet, tender grapes that can be devoured and plucked prematurely if not protected.

In John 15:1-2, Jesus tells us, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." It is vitally important we stay connected to the "True Vine", Jesus Christ, and allow Him to prune us by adding and taking away anything He knows will prevent or stunt our growth. Let us open our eyes and become aware of the small foxes that intend to disconnect us from God and allow our heavenly Father to speak to us and reveal anything deep within that needs to be uprooted. See with faithful expectation and let God visit your house to transform you into His image.

About the author: Felicia Inman is a native of Gatesville Texas and graduate alumni of Texas Bible Institute and University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters Degree in Social Work. She has more than a decade of ministry experience in which she and her husband Raymond Inman have currently committed their lives to serving at Grace Assembly Christian Church in Gatesville, Texas under the leadership of her father Pastor Wray Nunn. Felicia enjoys creatively sharing the message of Christ in church, community, and corporate settings, which enables her to reach others with humor, warmth, transparency and powerful strength. She is a wife, mother, teacher, conference speaker, song-writer, role model and mentor.