A Deer in Town

You are not going to believe what I saw in town the other day! I was right smack in the middle of town by the hospital and a deer ran across the road. First of all deer are not usually alone. And this one seemed afraid, of course deer always seem afraid. Hence the deer-in-the-headlights saying. But this poor thing. She ran like a wild thing right up to a fence by the hospital, she stood there for a minute looking confused and than went left onto the hot asphalt of the parking lot. It was hot enough to fry an egg on, heat rising up from it. She sort of hobbled across it towards the hospital and another parking lot and toward a busy street a few blocks away. I suggested to Paul we help her. And he reminded me of a story we had read not long ago about how a man tried to catch a deer and how they are really wild and not docile animals and how the man got very hurt trying it. So I whispered a little prayer for the deer and wished her well.
But as I thought about her I wondered what happened to her. Did she make it back to the wild? Did she find her other deer friends? Did some hunter grab his gun? Surely not in the town. Than my mind took a turn.
That look of fear on her face. I've seen that look on my face. on my kids' faces. That was a familiar look. One I had seen many times. The look of fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the known. Stark, cold fear gripping your heart until you can't breathe. Do we sometimes take a wrong turn, get out of God's will and find ourselves in fear, in dread, in over our heads? Have you had a little fear inside grow until you are chilled till you shiver with it and it possesses you?
What is the remedy for fear. The Word! God's love letter to us. He will call you beloved when you are afraid. He will tell you through his word that he doesn't give you a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. Imagine that deer running wildly full of adrenaline, full of fear. Now imagine yourself running through life that way. God whispers, if you will listen, "Beloved" and peace comes. You have a sound mind not a run-a-way mind of fearful thoughts. You can go to the Psalms and read comforting words. He is our shepherd. A shepherd is always mindful of his sheep. He knows where they are or if they get away he comes and finds them. He provides for his sheep and cares for them. We are provided for we are cared for. He, the God who created the whole world is aware of you. Yes, you! And he loves you so much. He has good plans for you not evil thoughts. He has a purpose for your life, a plan. He is a Warrior God fighting battles for us or with us. He is strong and mighty. Go read the Book and think about him. Talk to him. A sweet friend of mine said that we can all pray from our heart. Talk to him like you would a best friend. He is waiting for you to talk to him. He accepts you, loves you, understands you. Don't run wildly through your days. Run into his arms. There is peace there.