Huggable

Echidnas are an adorable, incredibly unique little creature found only in Australia. As their tiny little legs don't take them too far in a hurry, when they get a fright their defence mechanism is to roll up in a tight little ball, displaying their long, sharp spikes and shutting out the world. Once these little guys roll up and shut everything out, they take a very long time to come out again. And I can completely relate - sometimes, when the world seems overwhelming, it does seem like the only thing to do is to roll up, display your spikes as a warning and shut everything else out. Unfortunately, so I've learned, this does not make the problem go away. My spikes are not invincible - and, most often times, not even very helpful. Even though the world, the circumstances we find ourselves in or the things that happen to us, can be painful or scary, I've found the only way to make it through these times is to rely on my God, trusting Him as my protector and the one in ultimate control. And He guides me to see the colour and beauty that is still there in the world around me. As this little creature fans back her spikes and steps into the colour surrounding her, so too am I able to put away my defences and step into the beauty of the world around me, taking each step forward into the future He has planned for me.