I never expected the magical visitations after I buried my parents.
I’m not superstitious. But, I believe the supernatural pokes into the everyday world in a wide variety of forms and places.
An unexpected visitor surprised me at my mother’s grave two years ago.
A very different visitor appeared days after my father died.
The one whose image you see on his gravestone.
I captured this moment on video.
Early morning. Hot coffee. I settle on our patio overlooking the lake.
Was this my dad dropping by to say hello? Probably not.
But, I believe God used this deer to illustrate three keys for a magical life.
And when they are kept in balance, the future shines bright.
Key #1: Authentic vision
Usually, the rack gets my attention when I see a buck.
But, this time, I watch his feet.
His steady gait reminds me of this verse.
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:32ff
The “heights” are the magical places of love and victory in our lives.
But, it’s the well-formed hooves from traversing the valleys that take us to heights.
It’s not enough to picture the heights.
Picture the purpose of valleys.
Use the strength carved in valleys to reach and savor the heights.
Key #2: Authentic relationships
My dad’s last words to me were indicative of his character.
“You’ve got to hold it together.”
Hold family together. Hold friends together.
Not grudges.
People.
Love is not just the first step. It’s the first, central and last step.
“The question to ask at the end of life’s race is not so much ‘What have I accomplished?’ but ‘Whom have I loved, and how courageously?’” Geoff Gorsuch, “Journey to Adelphos”
Key #3: Authentic faith
Never despair.
It’s a great time and age for authentic faith.
Antony Flew, the great atheist, dropped a bombshell in 2004.
His works set the agenda for modern atheism for 5 decades.
But, then he announced he was wrong.
“What I think the DNA material has done is show that intelligence must have been involved in getting these extraordinarily diverse elements together.” Antony Flew
He concluded there is no gradual formulation of intelligence in . . .
- the laws of physics
- DNA
- Language
- Energy
It’s all there from the beginning.
Before he died, the philosopher said that if admirers are upset then . . .
“That’s too bad. My whole life has been guided by the principle of Plato’s Socrates: Follow the evidence wherever it leads.” Antony Flew
Maybe he would have saved a lifetime of unbelief by watching the animals.
“All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” Psalm 104:27-30
Picture the faith and strength built in valleys and let’s travel to new heights together.
How have valleys made you strong?
Nicely written piece Steve. I count it a privilege to have known both of your parents and appreciate how you model respect and admiration in remembering them. For me the greatest way to remember and honor my father is to continue to do the things he taught me to do: painting the house, repairing the cars, driving his old Chevy truck and trying to do my very best to always put family first and pass some semblance of a legacy on to the next generation.
Thank you for those kind words Doug and thanks for the beautiful formula for honoring parents. Works are everything aren’t they? Great to hear from you.
Great post Steve. I love that you see reminders in nature that help you remember your parents. Your father was a wise man and left you with good advice – ‘You’ve got to hold it together.” Family, friends, etc. Here are 2 of my favorite reminders regarding this…
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
“Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” Ephesians 4:26–27
What a guiding word Rita from Romans 12:18. Thank you for sharing this on Election Day.
I agree wholeheartedly with the visitors and congratulate you on the story telling.
I do think the clear purposeful walk of that buck this time of year was his following the scent of a doe as they are in rut! Maybe good for another story too!
Yes they are! Tell me what your thinking.