It was obvious to anyone within a few feet of where I stood gazing out our kitchen window. I was one unhappy, annoyed person. Mumble. Grumble. How dare they, those four-legged creatures? Not one. Not two. Three of them, a doe and her two young ones. How dare they, once again, mosey into our backyard, stroll around the raised garden beds, drop a donation or two, and continue on as if they owned the precious plant life and vegetation we so enjoy?
If that wasn’t reason enough to be upset, I could rationalize my aggravation by the fact one of the neighbors has a rather laissez faire approach to lawn and garden maintenance. As a result, this family of creatures often traipse through our lawn and jump their short fence for their any-time-of-day-evening snack.
Our son-in-law who was visiting [an insightful, compassionate ‘son’ by any description] came into the room, quick to notice my discontent. He was quiet for a couple of minutes, then spoke.
“Mom, I always enjoy our conversations about religion and spirituality . . . and when you talk about God, and how God is in everything . . . aren’t those deer part of God’s creation?”
Caught. Stunned into momentary silence, I continued to stare at the deer, then replied.
“Well, the deer are fine. It’s just that I don’t like it when they eat our vegetables and flowers. Would be nice if they stayed out in the woodlands and countryside where they belong.” Even I knew I was trying to justify my frustration with logic and fact. “Enough to make me want to put up a fence, a really tall one.”
And yet I knew he spoke a truth I needed to make peace with. “You point is well-taken. They are God’s creatures.”
Later that day, after he and our daughter and family had gone home, I found myself at the window once again. This time, the still small voice within was clear and most specific: “I created those deer. And everything else you see.” Lesson heard and received.
Oh, how easy it is to wrap our fingers around stuff—anything—we think is “ours.” The truth is, we are in this world for a time and a season. All of it is gift. The things. The people. Yes, even the vegetables and flowers.
There’s little doubt the Lord worked through our son-in-law to remind me that while it’s okay to put up some garden fence, it’s not necessarily okay to revile against the deer for being the animals God created them to be. Especially if that means going to great lengths [to say nothing of the expense] in an attempt to secure our “stuff” behind an iron fortress.
In the meantime, I’m sure it was no coincidence the Divine brought these words to mind and heart:
God, my Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet swift as those of deer
and enables me to tread upon the heights. [Habakkuk 3:19]
