Look closely at the photo for tiny white spots. See her? Yesterday our granddaughter discovered a newborn fawn in the woods and observed the deer’s first wobbly steps.
This morning she noticed the doe moved her baby closer to the house. Our son’s family observed through a bedroom window as the mother nursed her fawn and then left her alone in the tall, camouflaging grass. The doe’s God-given instinct led her to find a safe place for her baby and feed her.
Our daughter-in-law’s research revealed another part of God’s plan. Mother deer may leave their young alone for hours, probably to avoid predators’ attention. 1 I wonder if, when the doe leaves, she keeps her young in view from afar while the tiny creature remains in a safe place.
This morning as I read a Bible passage, I saw these words about God’s creatures:
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:13 ESV, emphasis added
No creature is hidden from God’s sight—not the tiny fawn—and not us.
God knows the newborn animal in our son’s yard—when she was born, how many first steps she took before she slid to the ground, and how many white spots adorn her back.
He knows us, and He sees us. To the false prophets in Jeremiah’s day, God said,
Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth?
Jeremiah 23:24 ESV
God not only sees us, but He sees into our hearts.
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b ESV
God sees us, and He protects us—even in the storms of life.
God sees us, and He protects us—even in the storms of life. Click To Tweet
When a rainstorm started earlier this afternoon, the little fawn loped under some trees with unsteady legs, then returned to her haven in the grass when the rain slacked—to the spot her mom selected.
The Creator of the deer designed protection for His children. He guides us by His Holy Spirit and His Word to keep us safe from our predator, the evil one, and his schemes. He “hems us in” with His love and protection.
The Creator of the deer designed protection for His children. He guides us by His Holy Spirit and His Word to keep us safe from our predator, the evil one, and his schemes. He “hems us in” with His love and protection. Click To Tweet
Think about the fawn lying in the tall grass and join me in reading this passage:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
Psalm 139:1-6 ESV
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
More family research indicated deer have individualized scent glands between their hooves which help fawns and their mothers locate each other. If Mama has not returned when the fawn is hungry, the little one cries in alarm and Mama comes running. 2 How marvelous are God’s ways.
Our heavenly Father not only sees us and protects us; He hears us.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 ESV
Are you encountering a storm? Do you feel alone or afraid? If so, I hope the picture of the little fawn encourages you and reminds you of God’s care. Do you know someone who needs the encouragement you can share from God’s Word today?
Please share in the comments how God cares for you or someone you know.
1 https://discoverwildcare.org/was-this-fawn-kidnapped/
2 Ibid
Jeannie, what a comfort and encouragement you offered in this post. When we are puzzled and may feel invisible in hard times-God is never puzzled and always sees and knows us. Our greatest desires are to be loved, known and understood. He meets those needs. Thank you!
Marilyn, you added so many good points. Thank you for reminding us “God is never puzzled and always sees and knows us.” He does indeed meet every need. Thank you for your kind words.
Jeannie, your posts are always thought-provoking and comforting. But I believe this is the best one yet! (Maybe it’s because I have a big soft spot for animals.) I loved it from the title on!
Oh, thank you, Glenda. I love animals, too, and God often uses them to teach us lessons. I hope to remember the little fawn as an illustration of God’s divine design and His love and care for His children.
I agree with Glenda. Perhaps because I too have such a love for God’s creatures in the wild as well as our domesticated creatures. How much more He loves and cares for us and wants us to depend on Him for our every need. Oh for grace to trust him more.
Mary Anne, I love God’s creatures, too. The little fawn reminded me of how helpless we really are without God’s care and provision. You’re right that He wants us to trust Him more. Thank you for adding that important truth to our discussion. I appreciate you reading and commenting so much.
I am thankful for His protection. What a beautiful message!
I, too, am thankful for God’s protection. The little fawn is such a good picture to help me remember how God designs our care and watches over us. Unlike the doe, He never leaves us. I appreciate your comments, Melissa.
I love God’s lessons to us from His creation! Thank you for sharing such a precious reminder of His love and care!
Thank you, Donna. The fawn’s protection and God’s design were sweet reminders to me, also. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Such a wonderful experience for your grandchildren and your lesson from it for us is so encouraging! Thank you, Jeannie.
Yes, it is a good experience for our grandchildren–a treasure from God. I’m glad you found the post encouraging, Kathy. I hope I’ll always remember the image of that little fawn hiding in the tall grass and connect it to our Father’s care. Thanks so much.
Hi Jeannie! I love the way you remind us of God’s protection from “the evil one.” The fawn is helpless over powerful predators, and we can take refuge in the shadow of God’s wing. Such an inspiring blog post. Thank you!
Dawn, I really appreciate your comments and your reminder “we can take refuge in the shadow of God’s wing.” I hope I never forget the lessons I learned by watching videos and seeing photos of the little fawn
God speaks through nature and uses His creation to teach us so many lessons. The animals are here for our enjoyment but also to show us how God guards us the way the mother deer watched over her young. Such a great experience for your granddaughter!
Barbara, you’re right–God teaches us through observations of animals. I marveled at the connections He showed me. When I saw photos of the fawn in the tall grass, I thought about how God leads us and protects us. Thanks so much for your comments.
Wonderful thoughts, Jeannie. I love nature. When my grandkids were small and stayed at our house for a week, we always read LOST IN THE WOODS, a book that tells the story of a little fawn. Just loved it. And such beautiful photography too.
Shirley, I’ll have to find that book for my grandchildren. Thank you for sharing that title. Our son’s family was mesmerized by the little fawn, and God taught us so much by watching her. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
What a beautiful, encouraging message. Thank you Jeannie!
Thank you so much for commenting, June. That means so much. I hope I never forget the parallels God showed me in the picture of that little fawn.
Jeannie, what a beautiful example of our Father’s love. Often we overlook just how much He cares for us. We forget that The Creator of the world sees us, hears us, and protects us. Thank you for sharing this wonderful reminder.
Thank you, Dawn. Yes, we often overlook His care or take it for granted. The little fawn reminded me of our Father’s tender and loving care. I appreciate your reading and commenting so much.
Thank you for this reminder Jeannie, God knows us and is our protector! I love Psalm 139, it reminds me of his sovereignty and his boundless love for us. I find protection through listening to the Holy Spirit. Many times this has saved me from going in the wrong direction.
Doreen, it’s comforting isn’t it to realize how God guides us? Our daughter-in-law heard the doe making sounds toward the fawn as if she was saying, “Stay here.” When I saw the baby hiding in the grass, I thought about how we are kept safe by obeying God. Yes, His boundless love is a blessing to us. Thank you for adding so much, Dorene.
Can’t speak with much “deer knowledge” Ms. Jeannie, but I can assure you that mama cows and their assigned surrogates (they take time baby sitting the calves each day), always know where their babies are. Cattle are famous for “hiding” their newborn calves while they recover (eat, drink, rest, etc.). When it’s time to seek them out, I almost always go to the mama first. She doesn’t realize it, but she steals glances every now and again and gives away her calf’s position. Your post made me wonder if sometimes God leaves us in the storm to watch how we react. He’s always watching over and protecting us, but He also wants us to grow and become more reliant upon Him too. Wonderful lessons ma’am. Thank you!
I thought about your lessons from the cows, J. D. when I was writing this post. How amazing that you notice the mother cow glancing toward her baby! When I saw the little fawn lying in the grass, almost hidden, I thought about the truth of God protecting us. He teaches us well through animals in His creation. Thanks so much for sharing.
He “hems us in” with His love and protection. I love the visualization in this line. The Scripture you use in this post is wonderful and assuring!
Candyce, I was amazed at the connections God showed me between the little fawn and us. The truth of God hemming us in is comforting. We have freedom but also His protection. I’m glad you found the verses assuring. I did, too. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Jeannie.
I love the lessons you’ve drawn from the little fawn and God’s watchful care over us. What a tender image of the Father!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Tammy, the more pictures and videos my daughter-in-law sent, the more parallels I saw. I was writing on a different topic initially. We are thankful for God’s tender love and His care for us. Thanks so much for your comments.
Jeannie, Thank you so much for the post. We have followed this sweet baby and her mama for days and waited to see her next move. Gina and I have been so amazed that a baby that is able to walk would stay alone in the brush and not move because her mama told her to stay and remain there for 10 or more hours… Get up and move out of the rain and then go back. Thank you for making the connections regarding God’s love for us and how His love in shown throughout all creation. His eye is on the sparrow and the fawn…and on us…..
Thank you, Jan. How comforting to know our Father watches over us and gives the instructions we need.
Jeannie, We have two fawns and mother behind our house. This was such a sweet post to remind me of God’s amazing creation. His creation points to Him. Beautiful post.
I know you enjoy watching them, Sylvia. Yes, God’s creation does point to Him and reminds us of His care. Thank you so much for your kind comments.
We have many deer on our farm and I’m usually complaining about them–they eat flowers and garden and don’t want to share–they will completely destroy my yard and garden. But, they are so lovely and they are God’s special creatures, too. You’ve shared a beautiful lesson with us today. I’m so glad we are not hidden from God. He knows our every need, loves us through every storm, and is our faithful protector–always.
Such a beautiful post about God’s loving care!!! He is truly amazing!
Katherine, they can be pests, but as you said, they are beautiful creatures. Yes, God sees and protects us. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you. Julie. I was amazed to think about the way God creates and provides for animals and how He loves and provides for us. I appreciate you sharing the post.