WHEN WE FEEL LOST

Bambi is in my backyard. Two of them actually. I know they’re very young, less than three months old (thank you, Google) and they are causing quite the ruckus while I’m on my deck trying to write. I can’t concentrate for the life of me as it appears they are lost. The fawns are not having a good day. And as I sit here sipping my cappuccino, I wonder if perhaps we’re all feeling a little disoriented in this season. Unmoored. Adrift. Or just plain lost…

The cries of the sibling fawns sound more like loud kittens mewing, pitiful and heartbreaking. I know their mother is in the neighborhood as they were all breakfasting on our raspberry bushes yesterday. Somehow, they were separated and as the morning progresses, the desperation of the lost is reaching fever pitch.

How are you faring in the midst of pandemic life, friend? Are you mourning relationships, experiences, and separation from loved ones? It’s hard, I know. But I came across this quote by Frances Chan which helps put things in perspective for me, knowing that God sees us where we are and still wants to be glorified in us and through us somehow: “The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.”

Every now and then, the fawns forget they are lost… they are distracted by the smorgasbord of lush foliage and (my) succulent raspberries. They frolic and play, literally skipping across the lawn like animated cartoon characters. I could watch them for hours. (That could be pandemic life speaking—I’m easily pleased these days.) But then the poor baby deer remember their predicament again and the crying continues…

Now that we are in the middle of summer, I find myself forgetting about the severity of COVID for a few hours some days. Sunshine, blue skies, and ice-cream can do that for a person. I’m temporarily distracted with work or entertainment—until I think of masks and numbers and what we can’t do anymore, and then I remember the predicament again. But my wobbly Bambi legs are strengthened when I remember “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Then I hear a lower pitch mewing. Doe, a deer, a female deer. Mother is calling. She heard her young, recognized their cries, and now she calls to them. Their oversized ears prick up immediately and they bound away in the direction of her voice, white fluffy tails bouncing in unison…

What a precious reminder of our Good Shepherd, Jesus. We are told in Isaiah 43 that God calls us by name. BY NAME. We are not a mere number or statistic, and that’s refreshing news about now. That when we cry out to Him, He will hear us and know us and lead us: “And the sheep recognize the voice of the true Shepherd, for he calls his own by name and leads them out, for they belong to him.” John 10:3

Those scared little fawns had no need to be afraid once they were with their mother. They ran toward her. They had no desire to stay lost, not when there was the hope of being found, seen, and secure.

God offers us the hope of being found, seen, and secure in Him: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Beautiful Bambi in my backyard!

Psalm 23 is well-loved and a favourite for many—maybe you’ve pored over its comforting words during this season of unknowns. Would you take just one minute to read through it now? I’ve used The Message as I know I tend to gloss over familiar texts that I know by heart. I pray these words will speak fresh truth into your soul:

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word, you let me catch my breath

and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley,

I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.

I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life

We are not lost, friend, for He leads us “back home”.

You are seen, known, and loved by the Good Shepherd.

Be encouraged…

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