Life has been full in recent months.  I have reported to my Board of Directors that the last three quarters have been very difficult.  The challenge of multiple decisions with major implications has been a heavy weight to carry. 

There’s an old saying among leaders that it is lonely at the top.  There are many details that can’t be shared with others.  The heart of the top dog contemplates those matters alone.

These are moments when I turn to God with a plea for help. I talk to God regularly about what I do. My dependence is upon Him for good times and bad.

So, I asked God for something to perk me up.  Sighing deeply I rose from my chair and walked into the kitchen for a glass of water.  A movement caught my eye.  In my backyard a brown flash passed through our trees.

A deer was grazing on my grass.  Just on cue, it appeared from behind the spruce tree curiously gazing around the creek.  It took a sip of water.  When its head was turned away I called with the quiet bark of another snorting deer.  The deer jerked its head up and stared right at me.

From years of being in the woods with these amazing creatures, I froze and stared back.  We were a mere ten yards apart and the wind was in my favor so the bovine couldn’t assess what I was.  Then, I saw a very exciting sign. 

At the top of the deer’s head were the two budding protrusions of newly growing antlers.  This was a young buck!  Here was the future of the local herd.   He would be the progenitor of several new fawns to be born this Spring.

He pawed the ground, swung his head low and away.  Then, he snapped his head back up to see if I had changed direction or begun to move.  That’s an old feint used by deer but I was not fooled.  I remained motionless.

After a few moments, he effortlessly leaped the split rail fence.  He paused with his over the back one last look at the creature that gave the deer call, curiously shook his head, hopped the creek and disappeared into the woods. 

That’s when I smiled.  Then, I chuckled and thanked God for the little visit that reminded me that He was here.  “Thank you LORD.  You are still with me.”  Amen.