Since moving into the country, we often have the opportunity to see wildlife up close. I have made it a habit to feed the deer and birds...of course that also means I am feeding raccoons, opossum, moles, shrew, and other small scampering animals that were not invited to dinner. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them come within 15 feet of our house to eat. We can view them through our picture windows in both the front and back of our camp provided home.

We have watched fawns grow up, bucks sprout antlers, and two doe stand on their hind legs and wail on each other with their front legs over whose turn it is at the feeder. It has been very educational and entertaining.

One of my favorite verses is from Psalm 42:1 "As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee..." The idea of being so thirsty for God resonates within me. We have all been at that point where we are in dire need of a cool drink of water, so it is easy to draw into view the idea of our desperation for Christ (plus, I have always enjoyed watching deer, and so was drawn to this verse).

Last winter, after watching the bucks feed on occasion, I noticed when they were antlerless. Two sores resided in their place. So, I went hunting...for shed antlers. BJ went with me. (I think he thought I had lost my mind, and was more interested in seeing if I'd find that.) I taught him how to set up a grid pattern for searching in the clearings where we knew the stags often visited. They tend to shed in clearings, often beside trees or thickets. I know what your thinking.

BJ thought it was a pointless pursuit as well. He came along just to have some "father/son time." I am so glad he did. I could tell he was not into the hunt, but it gave him a chance to share as we looked. His well for sharing ran sooo deep.
I am thankful that he had so much to say. In the quiet of the woods, where there were no other distractions, he would share his heart.

During the 6 or 7 weeks we were on vacation, and then in the hospital, the deer did not get fed (well, God fed them, but we did not). Now, they don't come around. I am faithfully trying to lure them back, but they seem uninterested. I miss them.

Today at work Jan (my co-worker) and I went to the valley to visit our waste water treatment lagoon, to assure it was working properly (one of the 'glorious' tasks of operating a camp). On the way, we saw a buck, and were both excited. We proceeded on through the 8 foot fence around the sewage pond, and were circling around when we witnessed a strange sight.

We encountered a buck and doe who were inside the high fence. Spooked by our truck, they panicked, and tried to get out. The way they tried to get out was sad and disturbing. They ran along the fence and jumped into it, only to fall clumsily back to the ground. They did this over and over until they finally found a weak spot and fell through to their escape.

First, I don't even like thinking about the fact that they may have been drinking from that water, or what it may do to them. Then the Lord showed me that we often drink from the wrong source, and pay the penalty for our poor judgment.

Next, the relentless jumping into the fence, and falling down...how pitiful...how disconcerting...how human. We run headlong into the same sin patterns over and over, even when the result is that we are humiliated. Sometimes I wonder if the Father looks down and shakes His head and thinks, "you know better, I have taught you wiser ways." Yet the dog returns to his vomit.

God did not create deer to reside inside fences, and He did not create us to see how low we could choose to go. We are created to bring glory to Him. Let us drink deeply from Emmanuels veins, for behold, the river of life is yours and will set you free.

Have a blessed day!

dad

(Yes, I have found shed antlers...No, it isn't a worthwhile venture)