I really missed everyone last week. I have really been under the weather in a big way. But I am happy to be back with you to share one of the most amazing miracles my husband and I have experienced over the past several years. God has blessed us to live in the middle of some beautiful land. As we drove along the small road when we first visited the land before buying, a doe leaped and glided across the tall grasses. She just seemed to float for nearly a mile in front of the creek. We knew this place had to be called Deer Creek. The first several years at Deer Creek only provided us with a few glimpses of our magnificent creatures. But as the years have passed, they have taken back the beautiful land we crouched upon and have really let us live with them. They come back every year to birth the babies and to visit with us. There is nothing more amazing than to watch another of God’s creatures live and grow with you! It gives me such hope that no matter what we do, God keeps His promise and hope for us. He comes back to us over and over again to give us His love and assurance. So look this week how God shows Himself to you through His beautiful creations!

Spots in the Grass

As the light brown tail gently swags,

Her tiny ears and spots emerge.

Mom urges her to follow.

She stays close.

Then suddenly a second set of ear tips barely rise above the grain.

More spots gently move across the scape.

What?

Not one, but two!

 

Off they go toward the creek to play, learn, and grow in the water.

The trees change to many colors.

The winter falls upon the land.

The greens of spring and summer pop up around us once more.

As the grain starts to reach the sky,

The body is back but the spots have disappeared.

This time she is closer.

More in the safer places near the house.

Protected by fencing, tree lines, and bushes.

 

Her spots are now a pure, smooth brown.

Her tail is fluffy and white as cotton.

Then suddenly behind her follows another small one.

They emerge from behind the ironweed and the goldenrod.

For days they come out to show their beauty with us as they come and go.

Then one day the twin mom is gone.

Only the baby is there.

 

The baby lies in the tall grass.

She wanders through the shrubs, nibbling the leaves.

The sweet animal makes herself paths through the grasses.

The big brown dog leads her through the field.

The soft baby eats the blackberries.

She gets stronger on her legs,

And stronger in her heart.

 

The beautiful body comes closer to us.

We want so much to intervene.

Our urge is to friend her, feed her, and pet her,

But we keep our distance.

We know she must learn to be on her own.

Mom comes to visit at dusk and dawn.

She brings the other adults, bucks and does, with her.

They wait and watch the baby.

Then they quietly go back into the shadow of the trees.

Days pass and the grass changes color again.

Weeks pass and the trees turn red, orange, and yellow again.

Mom now jumps the gate and joins the healthy baby.

The herd watches patiently.

Mom nudges baby and both seem to float across the gate joining the herd.

The herd quietly and slowly retreats through the field and into the trees.

 

The trees protect them all for the coming winter.

The little one moves slowly glancing back.

Wanting to stay, but wanting to leave.

Our wish is that the mature ones will be brave

And our brown spots in the grass will learn to be brave.

Hopefully our spots will feel safe to share life with us again and in other ways.

We can envision another season will led them back to visit and share with us once more.

These quiet yet strong beings will teach us trust.

They will teach us responsibility.

The spots in the grass will give us hope.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you so much for being with me this week!  I wish all of God’s hope and assurance upon you.  Don’t miss out on this because you are just not watching!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings