En-deer-ing

Psalm 42:1-2
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Our house sits deep in the forest. It is not unusual to see the occasional deer traipsing through our yard and grazing on our foliage.

I particularly treasured one moment last summer when a doe led her frisky fawn up the trail in front of our house. I took great care to stand still as they passed by, not wishing to startle them into flight. Heaven forbid that my immense pleasure at this sight be prematurely curtailed! Not having my camera handy, I had to rely solely on my mind's eye to capture this moment.

Fortunately, that was not the case this past Saturday.

Danny and I were watching college football that afternoon when a doe ambled into view. Danny grabbed for his camera and began shooting. We watched her from our living room window as she proceeded to nonchalantly lick birdseed from the ground; I never knew deer even ate birdseed!

We chuckled as she, more than once, arched her neck toward the bird-feeder and thrust her tongue into the aperture to procure more seeds. After several minutes of this, she calmly turned away and strolled leisurely toward a copious patch of English ivy. There, she promptly laid down to rest.

Dissatisfied with the quality of the photos he had snapped through the window, Danny decided to venture outside. Better shots were worth the risk. Moving slowly and deliberately, he crept as close as he dared to the doe. Bingo! Phenomenal photos! One of the best is at the top of this post.

Danny was amazed at the doe's indifference to his presence. Although not tame by any means, it was obvious that she was accustomed to humans. Roaming the wooded neighborhoods as she did, she had never developed a reason to be wary or cautious of people. Luckily for her, the only shots she will ever encounter will be fired from a camera.

After about an hour, the doe rose on her slender, elegant legs. As casual as ever, she sauntered down the hill toward the creek which runs through our neighborhood.

This reliable water source sustains mammals and birds in abundance. Without it, these marvelous creatures would be forced to live elsewhere. And, we would be deprived of seeing these splendid animals who attest to the beauty and wonder of God's creation.

He is present in it all.

He will meet you there.

Readings
Psalms 30, 32 or 42, 43
Ezra 4:7, 11-24
Philemon 1-25
Matthew 12:33-42