Oh Deer...

"He makes my feet like the feet of the deer. He helps me stand on the highest places." 2 Samuel 22:34

4 weeks ago I had my third tattoo. It is on the heel of my right foot and is of a deer. It seems random to a lot of people but I had it done because of the verse above (Eugh - I just drank from a glass what I thought was water only to discover it was lemonade, hate it when that happens). Anyway back to the deer (who happens to have been nicknamed Samuel), I came across this verse a couple of months ago and for the theologically inclined amongst you, you'll find this verse appear 3 times in the Old Testament. 

For me it was about God giving me the strength I need to overcome battles and to stand victoriously. But it wasn't until today that this verse became even more meaningful to me. 

Earlier I was in North Norfolk in a place called Deersglade (you can see where this is going). With friends in tow we went for a wander and came upon a huge herd of Deer. It was an amazing sight. I couldn't tell you how many were there but I would guess at around one hundred. Most were grazing, young ones were chasing each other playfully and a few stags had their heads up high watching out. It puzzled me because most looked timid and scared and once they saw us 100 yards from them they soon moved. But they never moved far. When they ran, they ran fast but sometimes clumsily. In that moment, the Deer didn't look so great and mighty to me. Whilst the 8 of us were standing there, Rob reminded us of what deers can be like. When 2 stags fight they rise up on their hind legs, lock antlers, charge and the battle begins.  Neither of them relenting. They normally wrestle in mating season when there is some pretty doe to fight for. 

I figured this is what God calls us to be like - meek and mild in nature but with mighty strength to battle. It's important to graze and be fed, play and build relationship with others. But we also need to keep our heads up high, scan our surroundings, identify possible predators and prepare to battle.  

Whose now singing "Doe, a deer a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun.....?"

 

What do you hear....?

I'm sat in the garden pondering how noisy life has become. 

I can hear the wind blowing and rustling my magazine sat on the table. I hear Dan and Jen's windchimes moving musically. The boy next door announcing to his mum that he is home and then talking to their oversized dog called Daisy, who really doesn't look like a Daisy!

I hear another neighbour unlocking his garage door. The faint drone of traffic on the A14. People getting into their cars. The chicken scrounging for worms. Sam next door bouncing on his trampoline. Walter shouting to Margaret that it's time to leave. A bird tweeting away on top of the roof. A lawn mower. A helicoptor. And then I get a text message. 

I hear life. 

I wished for silence in order to hear God but then it occurred to me God was in the noise. I can hear creation, humans made in his image, relationships, friendships and fun.

I hear life. I hear God. 

 

Caterpillars

I HATE Caterpillars! 

Ever since I can remember i've not liked these weird creatures. They're ugly, small, hairy and has anyone else noticed they give off a weird smell? Ok maybe it's just be who's weird by smelling insects, so trust me, they stink. 

On Saturday I was grabbing a precious moment reading my book in the garden, when a slimy weird green creature crawled it's way into sight. It got me thinking about Caterpillars and my dislike for them. Then I noticed a beautiful white butterfly drift overhead and do a delicate dance. Isn't it amazing how something so ugly can turn into such beauty? 

It got me thinking about how I view people. It's very easy to take a dislike to people because of things they've done to disappoint, things they've not done, glaring character flaws, the way they look and even the way they smell! But what we don't do, is see them for what they may become. The person God intended them to be. A beauty. 

I was quite tempted to kill the caterpillar on my garden table (please don't hate me!), but what a waste that would have been. How many people have I given up on because I've not seen the potential beauty in their life? 

So there we have it, God's used some weird and crazy insect to speak to me. And guess what I don't hate Caterpillars quite so much anymore. 

 

TNT

Good afternoon dear reader. 

Quick update on this weeks activities...working, working and working some more. There was a time when my job was a bit of a joke (especially amoung friends!). Where I would stroll in late, leave off early and get all my personal internet use done during the day. Gone are those days. Work is so crazy at the moment, my head is gonna explode. 

Have worked some looong days this week. 12 hours yesterday in London for the youth project which was good. 8 hours so far today, but have got to get back to it in 20 mins for an evening of youth work at the local club. 

There may be light at the end of this Connexions tunnel (well maybe not if you've seen the news this week!!). There is a job possibility that I can't really say much about right now incase any lovely colleagues are reading this. But i'll keep you updated. 

For those of you interested, my purse snatcher was arrested yesterday and looks like i'll be heading to the court rooms! 

Have a good work-free weekend everyone.