On a deserted Oklahoma road, I traveled alone.
Then I saw them coming from a distance – the slight movement in my peripheral vision to the right, so I slowed down to 20 miles per hour. Since no cars approached on either side of the highway, I stopped my vehicle, held my breath and watched.
A majestic five-point buck looked briefly toward my car, then scampered across the road. Only when he reached the other side did he look back. The doe watched him, depending on her mate for safety and as he looked back at her, some secret signal passed between them.
She then hurried across the highway. Together, they loped into a shaded area on that side of the highway, hopefully – to live happily ever after.
I moved the car’s gear into “Drive” and slowly moved forward, one hand on the steering wheel – the other on my heart. Then I worshipped God.
He allowed me to see that beautiful moment. If I had left Mom in assisted living even five minutes earlier, I might have missed that moment or I might have hit the buck as he bravely stepped onto the highway.
God often sends worship nudges to me through nature. But I rarely see a deer couple, the buck and the doe, traveling together. Never have I observed such a connection, such an obvious signal, between the two.
Fresh from visiting Mom and thinking about her and my dad, God allowed me to see an animal relationship in the beauty of a winter morning. He encouraged me and reminded me that the husband rightly protects his mate.
God – my heavenly husband – takes care of me. He goes before me, preparing the way and making sure no danger exists. Then he gently calls and waits for me to follow him. As long as I keep my eyes on him and wait for his signal – then I cross safely into the next area of life.
These majestic yet graceful creatures reminded me that no matter how confused Mom grows in her Alzheimer’s journey, no matter what kind of circumstances I face, no matter what the journey of life holds – there is a greater power that goes before me and prepares the way. I can trust my heavenly mate to watch out for me.
In our chaotic world, that sacred moment with the deer encouraged me. Order does still exist within the circle of life and God still sends his messages amid the confusion.
©2013 RJ Thesman – “The Unraveling of Reverend G” – http://amzn.to/11QATC1
RJ, I LOVED this piece! Could totally relate to God sending such a beautiful worship moment. I love that term! I also love how you tied it in to God going before you to ensure the way to provide direction in your chaotic world.
Thank you, Amy. It’s so important that we look for these worship moments every day because God’s presence is all around us.
Great story, RJ! You’ve reminded me of an incident years ago in Wyoming. Blessings, sk
I would love to hear about your incident in Wyoming and of how that brought you to a worship moment, too.
Dear friend Rebecca,
Beautiful post! Beautiful picture it forms in my mind. Some things you don’t need a camera for. I have been thinking of doing a word study on the word “husband.” since the Scripture says “Your Maker is your husband.” In my missing Jerry I have sought to take comfort from God’s promise. I know He is with me, even when I don’t feel it.
Your mother is a lovely person and your relationship with her is so tender. Jerry and I cared for my Mother in her last days and also when the time came, for his parents. So I somewhat understand what you go through. No Altzheimer’s, but for his dad, dimentia pretty bad. And for my mother, she had Colon Cancer and it went to her brain. And Jerry’s mother was pretty set in her ways. I would not trade those years for anything. The Lord impressed upon me that I had no way of knowing all my mother had done for me when I was a baby and a child, and also that it was all temporary. And indeed it proved to be. Since Jerry has been gone, I have missed our parents more. My Dad was only 62 when he died in a tragic way. He was an alcoholic, but that is another story. He was a good dad in many ways and I never doubted his love for me. I am number 6 of 7 children.
God bless you this day. Thanks for keeping me on your list! You were such a wonderful help to me when I served as a Chaplain. I hope to go back to doing that someday. I need a sense of God’s call again. With my health issues I don’t feel strong enough anymore, but I’m certain God would provide needed strength. Not serious things, just arthritis aches and pains. I had a light stroke back in 2010 and then a knee problem, so those things kind of set me back, and when Jerry was so sick I stepped back.
In Christ’s love,
Binnie Stanislav
Always good to hear from you, Binnie, and yes – our heavenly Husband is so faithful. I hope, too, that you can return as a chaplain because you have ministered so faithfully to so many. And God’s call continues for you as you befriend others and enjoy your family. Bless you!
Wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I rarely read them with all the other ‘reading’ I need to do with this thing called writing. But, your articles are beautifully written. Thank you for adding me to your distribution.
It was a pleasure to meet you at the KS writer’s conference. blessings bea PS If you don’t remember me I’m the lady who lives in England 🙂
Yes, Bea, I do remember you and it was so nice to meet you! Thank you so very much for your encouragement. I hope your writing is going well and that you are moving forward with your call to write. Blessings!