About a month ago the obviously pregnant doe no longer came by my yard to nibble on the mixture of corn and apples I left out for her. She must be having her babies. Every spring I wait for the fawns accompanying their mothers to come into the yard. It’s a beautiful reminder of God’s creation, of new life.
Yesterday morning they showed up, jumping about and being as curious as kittens. Their mother who had not been too reluctant to get close to me before now seemed more distant, to protect her twins, I imagined.
How does a mother doe call her young? Deer never seem to make any noise. But the fawns follow the mother instinctively. As the doe wandered over to the neighbor’s yard, she paused for a moment, waiting for her twins to follow her.
Prayer for the Day
Ever surprising God, we are thankful for the beauty of spring
With the fragrance of mowed grass and flowers;
Breaking free from the past year, we consider uncertain futures
And pray for healing as the spring turns into summer.
Help us to be open to your Spirit looking to the future with hope
As we continue to care for the community around us.
In the name of him who shows us how to care,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We are part of the earth and it is part of us… the deer, the horse, the great eagle: these are our brothers.
Chief Seattle, Suquamish chief, Northwestern U.S.(1786-1866)
I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal… I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.
Ellen DeGeneres, American humorist
As a deer yearns for streams of water, I yearn for you, O God.
My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God
When shall I come and see the presence of God?
My tears became my bread day and night as they said to me, “Where is your God?”
These I do recall and pour out my heart when I would come into the house of God.
Psalm 42: 1-4 (Tr. Robert Alter)