Friday, January 15, 2010

A Reminder from a New Friend


This afternoon I saw several deer in our backyard. This is not especially unusual except that we live within the city limits (of a small town) in a fairly busy subdivision. Our lot isn’t that large, either, yet for some reason deer often pass through our yard to the woods behind our house.

Several of the deer stood there under the pine trees for a few minutes, cautiously looking around, and then eventually disappeared into the woods. What both surprised and delighted me was that one deer stayed for quite a while and laid down in front of an evergreen bush. Several additional deer came through, hung out for a while and then followed the path into the woods the others had taken. Yet, there the lone deer stayed, seemingly quite comfortable. She was chewing on something and looked for all the world like she was a young lady lounging by the swimming pool. I was entertained for over an hour as I worked on dinner and washed and folded laundry.

I decided that she probably needed a place to rest and relax. I marveled at how at ease this gorgeous created seemed, and I was so grateful that she seemed to feel comfortable and at home and wanted to just hang around for a while.

It reminded me of Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
-NIV

Do you need rest today? Our heavenly Father is always present, ready to share our burdens and lighten our loads. Seeing the beautiful deer comfortably resting in the backyard reminded me that I need to trust the Lord and find rest in Him. He loves us and cares about every detail of our lives. If we let Him, He will provide comfort and give us the rest we need.

2 comments:

The Ski's said...

Love your thoughts, Vanessa. I can't believe this is in your yard! I will have to show Ellie these. She will be SOOOO jealous. Shoo them over our way sometime. How neat!

Vanessa said...

Thanks, Janeen. Actually, we see deer quite often. I bet they come up the side of your house, because I saw their tracks in the snow this week between Reusser's house and ours. I believe they come thru the woods over behind the houses on Apple Blossom Lane. Whenever I have seen them, it's always when they come up the Reusser side of our house. I'm generally sitting at the computer (by the window which opens to the backyard) late afternoon and see them go up to the top of the hill behind our house. Ellie might be able to see them out your kitchen window. :)
I hope Ellie sees them soon!