Random Deer

So yesterday the youth group kids were reclining in my front yard after working for two hours around town doing community service projects when theis mule deer comes walking up the street that is directly south of our house and stops briefly in our front yard.  The kids all pointed it out and one young man decided he would try to "cut it off" as it went around the back side of our house where there is a narrow cooridor of grass and trees.  This young man took off running toward the back of the house about the same time the deer decided to take off running toward the back of the house, both coming from opposite directions.  Needless to say the deer had a shorter distance to go and made it past the house long before this young man did and continued into the stand of trees behind the house.  But it was funny to consider that this young man thought he would be able to outrun, much less stop a deer.  Oh the things teenage boys will do for fun. 

Then today Bill and I were out for our walk (went in the early evening, instead of early morning) and as we rounded the corner to walk past the football field we saw the familiar white flag of a whitetail doe.  She slowly and gently bounded across the football field toward a stand of trees that lines the north side of the field.  You could tell she didn't really want to go becuase after all she was enjoying the lush green grass that has been watered and manicured all year long; and she was lingering.  She would bound a few steps, then stop and look back, and she repeated this pattern several times, never quite leaving the field, but closer to the edge just in case we came any closer.  As we got past her and she could tell we were going to "go away"; she stopped, lowered her head and started to graze again - supposed threat dissipated in her mind. 

It is always a surprise to see the deer right in town, but it is a pleasant surprise - and it has been too long since we've had one go through the yard.  I love watching them no matter what speed they are going - but realize that I do have to keep my eyes open and my wits about me so that I don't get run over one of these days. 

As I ponder that thought I'm reminded that we also need to keep our eyes open and our wits about us when it comes to Satan, the enemy of our souls - he would rather just run us over and leave us feeling worthless and abandoned than have us walking around enjoying life and it's many blessings.  Lord, thank you for the insight and lesson through one of your creatures.