An "EnDEERing Moment"

This morning I witnessed a most "enDEERing" moment.  I hope you can click on the above video to see the touching moment between the mama deer and her fawn.  The little fawn had strayed away from the rest of the herd and was wandering dangerously near to the strange woman with the camera.  Little Fawn was very curious and did not realize her danger...(even though the strange woman with the camera - me - would NEVER harm such a dear little deer.)

Soon Mama Deer came looking for her baby, and recognizing the peril she was in, Mama deer stared severely at the strange woman with the camera for quite a spell while waiting for Little Fawn to come running back to her.  When little fawn ran up to her mama, there was a tender moment of nuzzling and kissing, and then it appeared that Mama Deer admonished her Little Fawn with a few words of reprimand.  Suddenly Little Fawn leaped away to join her siblings and the rest of the herd, and Mama quickly took off after her.  They joined the rest of the group and headed off to graze in safer pastures away from the strange woman with the camera.

Well! It was definitely a touching moment and I feel so privileged to have witnessed this today. I couldn't help but think about one of the parables that Jesus taught His disciples about another herd or flock of animals...the sheep.  Let me share it with you and then see if you can see the similarities:

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep,

if he loses one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, 

and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, 

he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing!

And when he comes home, 

he calls together his friends and neighbors, 

saying to them,

'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven 

over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine just persons

who need no repentance."

Luke 15:4-7

How often have we been like that little deer...or that lost sheep...wandering away from the fold, perhaps not evening realizing the danger that was lurking around us? Sometimes the danger may be more insidious than something physical...it could be a peril to our minds or spirit...a false teaching or a temptation to explore areas of thought that could lead us away from sound doctrine and the safe harbor of our faith in Christ.  

It could be the liberal philosophy of "political correctness" that is nothing more than a smokescreen for the unholy teachings of the enemy of our souls...much like that cunning old serpent in the garden when he tempted Eve with the apple, saying "Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden..."

Well, anyway...not wanting to venture into that arena right now...but the main point of this post is that when we do go astray, we can expect our "Mama Deer" (Heavenly Father)  to come searching for us immediately.  God will not allow His precious children to wander so far away that they cannot be retrieved.

 We may get ourselves into mischief, yes, even into deep, dark waters of sin and despair...but when you belong to Jesus...He will not stop searching until He has found you and gathered you up into His loving arms, placed you on His shoulders and carried you home...REJOICING!!!

Click on this LINK for a video of the Gaither Homecoming family singing "The Ninety and Nine". Be ready to be blessed.