If you live in Central Texas and travel rural roadways in late February, there is an aroma that will ‘peak your interest’.   In the 6 mile stretch between my house and the church, there are 3 places where I have to either hold my breath or hold a clothe over my face.  Although, I have to admit, lately I have been trying to become one with nature and learn to enjoy odor from the cute little black and white weasel.  What?  You didn’t know that skunks were in the weasel family?  See all the great things you learn here!

Why is it so stinky in February?  Skunks are hit by cars because they are on the roads.  Why are there so many skunks killed on the road during this part of the year?  Read the passage below found online:

Adult skunks begin breeding in late February. Yearling females (born in the preceding year) mate in late March. Gestation usually lasts 7 to 10 weeks. Older females bear young during the first part of May, while yearling females bear young in early June. There is usually only 1 litter annually. Litters commonly consist of 4 to 6 young, but may have from 2 to 16. Younger or smaller females have smaller litters than older or larger females. The young stay with the female until fall. Both sexes mature by the following spring. The age potential for a skunk is about 10 years, but few live beyond 3 years in the wild.

The normal home range of the skunk is l/2 to 2 miles (2 to 5 km) in diameter. During the breeding season, a male may travel 4 to 5 miles (6.4 to 8 km) each night.

The males are driven by their hormones into dangerous traffic situations and sadly many of them lose their life.  It leaves the skunk population smaller and virtual clouds of fumes in the air.  Then, after they are hit and laying in the road, cars swerve not to hit the little guys and almost hit other cars.  This causes even more problems.

A situation that is so deadly for the skunks is really not any different for other species.  Is it?  Deer go crazy in late summer, early fall.  Monster bucks walk right out in the clearing in broad daylight, much to the delight of hunters.

And humans…well…men are crazy year around.

Of course, females deal with hormone issues also.   Hormones open the door to procreation and other vital bodily functions.  Without them, we would not survive.  In fact, my daughter who was born with a brain abnormality, does not naturally get a hormone from her brain and would die if we did not medicate her twice a day.

There is something powerful about the movement of hormones.  They alter rational thought.  Life saving thoughts.  Moral thoughts.

What are your thoughts on something so natural or physical impacting our spiritual life?

-pastor