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Faith Comes By Hearing (Blog post #33)

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Faith Comes By Hearing (Blog post #33)

                 

Encounter of a Furry Kind

By Anita G. Hamill, (Eureka)

When I was a little girl, my dream was to pet a wild deer and that it would not be afraid of me. For years I have had many close encounters, but never any actual contact.

Several years ago, my dream finally came true in Bend, Oregon, during the Feast of Tabernacles. We were gathering with friends up at the Eagle Crest Resort, when I slipped away to catch some photos of the deer that were coming in from the golf course.

There was a mama deer with two half-grown youngsters watching me from about ten yards away. I beckoned the mama to come to me and was surprised when she left her babies and came closer. She walked with such grace and confidence that it took my breath away.

The next thing I knew, mama deer was right there checking me out. She let me pet her beautiful face and run my hand down the cool, soft back of her neck. She showed me the Juniper berries just out of her reach, so I pulled the branch down and watched the berry juice squirt out of the side of her mouth as she ate. When she was through, I let the branch up gently and snapped a picture.

By this time, I could see the youngsters were getting restless, so I told mama deer it was time to go. We walked together, side by side, like a little girl with her pony.  Then she was back with her babies and off they went.

I slowly walked away, trying to recapture in my mind what had just taken place.  It was so beautiful and yet unreal. For days I prayed and asked God to show me all that He wanted me to understand from this experience because I didn’t want to miss a thing.

God helped me to realize that if He could remember a fifty-year-old childhood dream and make it come to pass, He could surely be trusted with the more important issues of life and death. That I should not let the big world picture frighten or discourage me, but to simply stay focused on Him (Psalms 112:7).

I often think about that little mama deer, how she was so sweet and trusting and just enjoyed spending time with me. This is what our own Heavenly Father wants from us, not to be afraid. We are not just one of many. Our relationship with God is so very personal, as we are often reminded (Psalms139:1-3).  

If God has numbered the very hairs on our head, then He also knows all our dreams and cares as He reassures us (Luke 12:6-7). We need to rest in God’s love and trust in His provision for us. God is always there for His children and so eager to help.

One day there will be such peace on earth, that even the animals will be tame, and the children will play with them all (Isaiah 11:6-9).  Yet, in the meantime, we can appreciate all of God’s amazing creation and let it teach us more about His never-ending love and care.