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Lessons from a Fawn: God Sees Me, Hears Me, and Protects Me

June 8, 2021Jeannie Waters38 Comments

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. Share on X

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. Share on X

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!
²You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6 ESV

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.

¹https://discoverwildcare.org/was-this-fawn-kidnapped/

²Ibid

Four Ways to Put On Christ’s Love and Share It with Others

May 26, 2021Jeannie Waters18 Comments

“Mom, you don’t need to buy new clothes,” my daughter said as she helped me plan for an upcoming conference. “Shop your own closet.”

Numerous website’s offer the same advice: Survey the contents of your own closet to create new outfits. Why buy more if creative planning can multiply the potential number of outfits? Makes sense.

The strategy of shopping our own closets saves time and money. It also provides opportunities to try new combinations and accessories with the clothing we already have.

God’s Word teaches us how to dress our hearts with the Christlike behaviors and attitudes He has already given us, such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 ESV

After he encouraged believers, then and now, to “forgive each other” (v. 13), Paul continued, “And above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (v.14).

Among other virtues, he elevates love— “above all these”—and writes that love “binds everything together.”

We sometimes select a particular sweater or piece of jewelry to create harmony and tie the pieces of an outfit together. The garment of God’s love prepares us to walk in victory with Jesus and reflect His heart to the world around us, binding us together in love.

The message resonates throughout Scripture: God loves, and His children love.

How can we put on Christ’s love each day and share it with others?

1. Study Scripture.

In His wisdom, God instructs us how to adopt Christlike behavior. He leads us through His Word to live in a way that reflects His glory and allows us to live in harmony with others as we minister to them.

Paul, with Holy Spirit inspiration, encouraged believers to wear the behaviors and characteristics that are stored in their own hearts. This strategy leads us to imitate Jesus, the perfect model for love.

Read about the earthly life of Jesus, our perfect example. He took time to notice people—the woman at the well, the tax collector in the tree, and the children in the crowd. He fellowshiped with people others ignored and taught God’s truths to crowds and small groups. He met needs and prayed for those around Him.

2. Pray for guidance.

Ask God to show you ways to extend His love to others, then watch for opportunities. God never leads us without equipping us.

The clothes of virtue Colossians three instructs us to put on are already hanging in our heart’s closet. There’s no need to run to a mall or beg God to give us these qualities. He already has. If we are His, the traits Paul listed fit us well and portray the light of Christ to others.

When Jesus came to dwell in our hearts, God adopted us as children and gave us the capacity to love as He loves. We don’t love perfectly, but God gradually transforms us and provides opportunities for us to extend love to others as we listen to Him and obey.

We don’t love perfectly, but God gradually transforms us and provides opportunities for us to extend love to others as we listen to Him and obey. Share on X

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1

3. Notice the way other Christians display the love of Christ.

Once we repent of our sins and surrender our lives to Jesus, His Holy Spirit resides in us, and He enables us to display Christlike characteristics. God also instructs us to serve others in His name. As children of God, we imitate our Father and embrace His teaching.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Do you remember occasions when others who walk with God extended His love to you? What evidence of sharing His love have you observed this week?

4. Consider ways you might express love through encouraging words, acts of kindness, or meaningful gifts.

Who in your circle of influence needs to experience God’s love this week through one of these means?

We can find ways to show His love to those around us whether we are young or old, working or retired, rich or poor. He gives each believer spiritual gifts for the purpose of meeting the needs of others.

Believers are not to envy or copy the way other Christians show love and serve the Lord. Instead, we keep our eyes on Him as we love others in our own unique God-given style.

We often follow fashion trends and imitate the clothing styles of others. For our spiritual dress, we are to imitate our heavenly Father and clothe our hearts with love.

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:11

Consider these questions:

1. How has God equipped you to love and serve others in His kingdom’s work?

2. In what ways have others shown the love of Christ to you?

3. How can you share the love of Jesus this week?

Please add a comment about how you plan to put on love this week. It’s a great fit!

This post concludes our series on renewing our hearts with God this spring.

Bible verses are taken from the ESV.

Renew Your Walk with God This Spring: Put on Patience

May 11, 2021Jeannie Waters26 Comments

When I was eight years old, my dad taught me to fly fish from his boat. I loved watching his technique and longed to learn. The graceful arc of his rod positioned the artificial fly inches from the bank with a gentle landing. After Daddy’s casts—when the tiny ripples subsided—we patiently watched to see if a fish would bite.

Fishing with an eight-year-old requires an extra measure of patience. One day my entire rod landed in the lake, but Daddy rescued it before it sank.

My flies would often land a few feet in front of the boat with a plop and several feet of line that probably gave the fish heart attacks, spoiling hopes of an afternoon catch of bass and bream.

My dad demonstrated a generous supply of forbearance while I learned to cast further out and toward the bank—which often caused the hook to catch on the bank’s grass or low hanging branches. With tolerance, dear old Dad would paddle over to the edge, remove my hook, tie on another fly, and paddle back out.

I sat in the front of the boat and Daddy sat in the back and called out each step in the process. One time after several successful casts, I tried again. This time I heard, “Pull your rod up, pull back, stop, go forward, OW!” The only thing I’d hooked that time was Daddy’s scalp!

After my tearful apology, Daddy pressed a handkerchief to his bleeding scalp and said, “It’s okay. Let’s try that again.” His response was one of many that spoke of his love for me.

Love is patient, love is kind.
1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV ¹

Patience is a fruit of God’s Spirit working in us. Our forbearance speaks of His love in us.

Patience is a fruit of God’s Spirit working in us. Our forbearance speaks of His love in us. Share on X

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness …
Galatians 5:22-23

In this series of posts, we set out to renew our walk with God this spring. Part of the renewal He generates in our hearts is transforming us to be more like Him. God is patient and slow to anger.

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15

Imagine the patience of Jesus as He witnessed sin, taught the disciples, and suffered for sinful men. Surely, when Jesus called us to be “fishers of men,” He meant for us to “put on” patience before we step into the boat and cast our line.

God’s instructions in Colossians chapter three guide us as we seek to imitate Jesus and ask Him to renew our hearts.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.
Colossians 2:6

He then tells us which garments to “put off” (Colossians 3:5-9) and which to “put on” (v.12-14). Patience is among them.

Sometimes patience is needed when we wait:

for a new cashier to finish our order,
for a child to choose a “just right” bedtime story,
for a dear elderly relative to tell the same story over and over,
for a long road-blocking train to pass when we’re running late,
for a phone recording that drones on when we seek a quick response.

What occasions test your patience? How would you rate your responses to trying people and circumstances? I ranked myself about eight out of ten on my imaginary patience scale … until I read definitions like these:

Patience:

“bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint” ²
“the bearing of provocation, annoyance, … or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like” ³
the ability to “accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious” ⁴

“Without annoyance or anxiety? Accepting of delays? Enduring calmly without complaint?”

After reading these definitions and considering the character of Jesus, I remembered patience is more than my behavior. It includes clothing my heart with forbearance.

We often hear, “That occasion really tried my patience.” Maybe some circumstances are tests to remind us to check our hearts and put on this character trait Jesus modeled for us.

When we put on the garment of biblical patience, the following accessories clash with our spiritual clothing:

whining
criticizing
eye-rolling
foot-tapping
complaining
snappy retorts
huffing and puffing
murmuring under our breath
seething as we wish to fast forward
speeding around a car in front of us

Oh, my. Perhaps we should attach a note to the mirror: Put on patience as you imitate Jesus.

Let me check my imaginary patience scale again and pray. I’m grateful for God’s patience and willingness to forgive when we repent, aren’t you?

Father God,

Thank You for the patience and forbearance you grant to me. Forgive me for being impatient with people, circumstances, and even myself when I’m in a hurry and things don’t go my way. Renew my walk with you, Lord God, and remind me to put on patience along with spring outfits as I observe Your work in and around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Thanks, dear reader friend, for stopping by. Please share your thoughts about patience or examples of this trait you’ve witnessed.

¹All Bible verses are from the ESV.

² https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patient

³https://www.dictionary.com/browse/patience

⁴https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=definition+patient

Renew Your Walk with God This Spring: Put on the Humility of Jesus

April 27, 2021Jeannie Waters34 Comments

When my youngest brother was five, he changed clothes often because he wanted to look like my dad. He’d watch Daddy enter a room, then he’d dart toward his own closet to find a way to match his hero.

If Daddy changed into khaki pants after work to tend his garden, Carson would toss his clothes down the laundry chute, change into khaki pants, and follow my dad outside. He didn’t even care about losing playtime.

Scripture instructs us to “put on” the same characteristics Jesus exemplified so that we look and sound like our heavenly Father.

Today we’ll look at a different part of the passage we considered last time as we endeavor to renew our hearts by imitating our Lord. In the last post, we focused on kindness and compassion. LINK: Renew Your Walk with God: A New Heart for Spring

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 ESV

This time we’ll consider humility.

Jesus, the perfect example of humility, conformed Himself to a virgin’s womb and came to live among men in human form. During His ministry, He stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples as an example of humble service (John 13:1-14).

Finally, with meekness and humility, Jesus submitted Himself to rejection and the extreme suffering of crucifixion because of His love for us. He even asked God to forgive His tormentors.

Although Paul listed his own impressive religious credentials, he too exemplified humility by suffering willingly for the cause of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10). Paul’s attitude led him to say,

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:17

Like me, you’ve probably observed people you deem humble. Joe, an associate pastor at our former church, wore suits on Sunday, taught Sunday school, and prayed during the service. At other times, I observed him wearing casual clothes while he packed the bus for youth trips, played ball with children on Wednesday nights, and even mopped the fellowship hall floor after a family event.

He could have avoided those mundane activities and assigned them to others. Instead, he exemplified a Christlike spirit and served God and his church. I often thought if Jesus visited our church in the flesh, He might be found working alongside Joe.

The garment of humility may feel stiff when we attempt to slip it on in some situations. Here are questions to help us check the fit:

Do I listen more than I speak?
Do I fight my way to the top of conversations?
Do I enjoy being right when I’m around certain people?
Do I avoid tasks I think are fine for others but not for me?
Does my humility lead to expressions of gentleness, goodness, and patience?
Do I appear humble in word and deed but reserve room for pride in my heart?

When our garment of humility needs alterations, we can confess our sin and ask God to transform our hearts to match His. The freshness of His Spirit will fill our souls with joy as we renew our walk with Him this spring.

When our garment of humility needs alterations, we can confess our sin and ask God to transform our hearts to match His. The freshness of His Spirit will fill our souls with joy as we renew our walk with Him this spring. Share on X

Perhaps each morning we can glance into the mirror of Colossians 3:12-14^* to ensure we act, look, and sound like our heavenly Father. That glimpse may send us to our closet (our prayer closet) to seek God’s help in putting on characteristics that match His.

Won’t you add a comment about examples of humility you’ve observed or something you’ve learned about this characteristic of Jesus?

_____________________________________________

^*Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. –Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

Renew Your Walk with God: A New Heart for Spring

April 7, 2021Jeannie Waters16 Comments

Blog post series:

On March 16, I began a new series about renewing our walk with God as He renews the earth in the spring.

Here’s a link to the first in the series: Renew Your Walk with God This Spring

In it I suggested we start a new journal or notebook to log:

(1) our physical walks and (2) the characteristics of Jesus we notice as we read the Bible.

Slip on your comfortable shoes and join me on our ongoing path. We will consider ways to renew our walk with God this spring by prayer, study, and imitating God.

Part Two:

As we “walk” notice the way God dresses the trees with bright green leaves. They dance in the breeze and seem to shout, “We’re alive. Welcome to spring.”

Don’t you love the way God transforms winter’s drab grays and browns with brushstrokes of freshness and new life? Call the vibrant colors lime, chartreuse, spring green, neon green, or any other name on the color spectrum between blue and yellow.

The new shades represent vitality, excitement, and the beginning of a new season. Some of the greens even have a dash of cheery yellow. If we ever needed God’s cheer and freshness, my friend, it’s this year following the doldrums of a COVID winter.

Maybe you’ll identify with the observations of Carrie, a park ranger at the Catoctin Mountain Park in northern Maryland as she described spring outings:

It’s that sense of escape, like animals coming out of hibernation. We as humans are escaping the cabin fever, we’re wanting to get out on the trails and really discover the changes. ¹

How about you? Perhaps the hibernation of COVID clouded your heart with discouragement, frustration, and preoccupation with the fear of illness or social distancing.

Or maybe you remained positive but long for the freedom of spring and increased closeness to the Lord.

Let’s leave winter behind and explore the beautiful new greens that bedazzle our view while we ask God to examine our hearts. If we belong to Him, He can dress our hearts in the fashion of new life in Christ.

First, a little about those light green spring colors …

Editor Catherine Meyers of insidescience.org shares the way scientists explain the shades of early spring:

Young leaflets’ chloroplasts — the part of the plant that contains the green pigment chlorophyll — are still developing, so the leaves tend to be lighter. ²

Chlorophyll absorbs the sunlight plants need to manufacture energy for growth. Likewise, our spiritual lives require light–God’s light–which shines into our hearts as we pray. When we study God’s Word, the Holy Spirit teaches us more about our walk with Christ.

We simply cannot manufacture renewal with our own energy sources. God is responsible for heart changes.

It is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 NASB

That’s freeing. I cannot change my own heart, but I’m responsible for studying the Bible, praying for transformation (Romans 12:2), and imitating Him.

Let’s begin our spring study with verse 12 of this passage:

Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 NASB

When spring arrives, the trees “put on” their new green foliage. At the same time, we replace heavy jackets, turtlenecks, and dark colors with light-weight sweaters, short-sleeved shirts, and pastels.

In Colossians, Paul wrote the imperative statement, “Put on.” Christians are to “dress themselves” in the qualities Jesus demonstrated rather than in sinful attitudes.

Imagine reaching into your closet and trying on a garment labeled “compassion,” or “kindness.” What would they look like? How would they fit?

The life of Jesus provides examples.

Jesus demonstrated compassion by His kind actions.

He felt pity, care, and concern for people in need. He healed a leper, gave sight to the blind, and fed hungry people. His heart filled with compassion for sinful man (Matthew 9:35-36, Luke 19:41-42) and He preached good news (Luke 4:43). He even spent time with Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector. Jesus told him, “Hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5).

Jesus put compassion into action by reaching out to others with acts of kindness. Maybe we could define kindness as “compassion in action.”

Jesus put compassion into action by reaching out to others with acts of kindness. Maybe we could define compassion as love in action. Share on X

After asking God to renew our hearts and dress them with compassion and kindness, how can we show the compassion and kindness of Jesus to others? Here are some suggestions.

Showing Compassion and Kindness This Spring

For neighbors or friends who may be unable to complete required home maintenance:

Offer to clean a flower bed for an elderly neighbor, and then refill it with straw.
Create an attractive gift certificate “good for” three hours of outdoor work.
Clean porch or deck furniture and offer to pressure wash if you’re able.
Plant flowers in deck or porch containers.
Enlist a teenager or college student to help you.

For elderly friends and church members (Consider COVID protocols.):

Take someone for a ride around town to see spring’s beauty.
Call to schedule a patio visit with someone in a healthcare facility.
Offer to conduct a devotional at a facility.
Call those who are elderly or incapacitated and offer to run errands.

For new neighbors or graduating seniors:

Create a special greeting card and share a favorite family dessert.
Plan a socially distanced cookout or lemonade and cookie snack.
Share publications from your church and links for online services.

What are additional ways we could show compassion and kindness as Jesus did? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Next time, we’ll consider more of this passage as we seek to imitate Christ.

An excellent resource for renewing your walk with God:

If you’re looking for a devotional book to accompany your spring walk with God, consider Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible by Lori Hatcher. It’s one of my favorites.

Here’s a link: Refresh Your Faith

¹Meyers, Catherine, editor. “Spring Green: Why Do New Leaves Have a Lighter Color?” American Institute of Physics, accessed April 7, 2021, https://www.insidescience.org/news/spring-green-why-do-new-leaves-have-lighter-color