Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Paul wrote, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7,8 NIV

The deer were obviously not fully grown, although they no longer had the spots of fauns. My wife and I came upon them as we started back our lane to bring the lambs to the barn for their morning feed. One was in the paddock with the ram; the other was in the lane. When they saw us, about the time we saw them, both made a dash for the fence. Not over, as experienced adult deer would do, but straight at it, as if it didn’t exist! The results were predictable. They hit it hard enough that they rebounded back, falling in a tangle of legs on the ground.
The one in with the ram made a couple of tries at the 48 inch high fence, turned, went over the 32 inch fence, and disappeared into the woods.
The deer in the lane, a path between two 48 inch high fences, tried even harder. I was concerned that the poor thing would break its neck! It really smacked that fence! Over and over, working its way down the fence toward us; we were standing stock still, not wanting to spook it further. It came within about ten feet of me.
Finally, I suggested that if we moved slowly toward it, the deer might move on back through the lane. And it did, struggling, sticking its head through the fence, and smacking it as it went along. Reaching the area at the top of the hill, at a spot where the fence sagged a bit, it finally leaped over it, and went off through the trees.
You know, there was not a thing I could do to “talk” those deer over the fences. It would probably have been best if we turned and walked slowly away. I thought, “How like those deer many people are.”
We see people all the time caught up between the ‘fences’ of life, struggling, smacking the boundaries, and suffering because they don’t know how to escape the lifestyle they are in. It is often just as frustrating trying to help someone caught in life's “fast lane.” They want to be happier, to be less stressed out, to get new results from old customs; they don’t want advice or preaching from “holier-than-thou’s.”
If there had been an adult deer present, it would have been no problem. They have smacked the fences before. Now, they know how to get over that barrier. The young ones would only have had to follow, and freedom would quickly have been theirs as well.
It is important to be an example in life so that others can see that there is a way to escape the ‘fences’ of the world. Actions often speak much louder than words.
October 3, 2002