The scene where the doe were playing.
This is the week of Thanksgiving. For our family, during this season of our lives, that means a trip to Kentucky. Each day someone is sitting in a tree stand or some type of blind to hunt for the following year’s meat…deer.
Yesterday morning and late afternoon I was admiring God’s creation while waiting on the just the right deer to arrive. The rustling of the leaves under each creature’s feet (mainly squirrels), the sound of the wings of a flock of birds as they fly by, and the tweeting of birds nearby in the trees are peaceful and comforting.
The sight from the stand is limited yet breath-taking. As my eyes peer to and fro scanning the woods for deer, I can’t help but sigh and smile as I admire the colors God displays during this season. Now, I’ve missed the glorious colors of October, but hints of those bold colors still remain on a few leaves.
For about twenty minutes, I was entertained by three doe. They would crunch corn and nibble on grass, and one doe would occasionally chase one of the other doe away. They would remind me of siblings playing around. (Three deer, my three kids, Hunter, Holly, and Cole. Oh how I love my children!) But in the middle of all their eating and playing it was evident of their powerful sense of smell and hearing. At the crackle of leaves or a twig from neighboring squirrels, the deer would abruptly lift their heads and sniff into the air. They were quite edgy the entire time they were eating. A couple of times they would start to run or walk away, but then realize that it was not time to “meet their Maker”, yet just another one of God’s creatures wanting to partake in the food provided.
While observing this scene, it made me think about people who live their lives always being edgy as if they were waiting to be caught doing something wrong or just plain ole scared of life.
Then, this morning in Proverbs 28:1-3 I read, “The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one’s after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.” It totally reminded me of the scene between those three doe yesterday.
I believe I would much rather live relaxed and confident than edgy with guilt. Actually, I do. Why? Because I have accepted Jesus into my heart, I know where I am going when I die, and I confess to my God for the wrongs that I do.
Someone is always after us…Satan. But when you have the confidence that you’ve got Christ in your heart, and that we know God wins in the end anyhow, all that edginess goes away and bravery settles in.
Are you living right? If so, you should be as brave as a lion.
If you’re living the wicked way, you’re probably spending your life much like those three doe, a bit edgy and always scared to (and possible of) death.
It’s your choice. Be brave and have God-confidence and have assurance as to where you will be when this life is over, or always be jittery about life and scared of death.
I sure hope you make the right choice to relax and be confident.
Blessings to you.
November 20
The first deerstand I sat at enjoying God's goodness.Yes! I am a hunter.
Yes! I am a deer hunter. Here's my doe on the first day of hunting. (not one of the ones that were playing)