There is always a balance in life. Without sadness, one does not fully appreciate happiness. Such opposites provide this necessary balance as well as a perspective for comparison.
Lately I have been feeling sad… missing my friends, disappointed that our house has not yet sold, discouraged that we cannot find a home we really like here in Boone, wondering what I should do next and confused as to the direction that I am being led. I think God is just sending me a little reminder that patience is a virtue (which by the way is not necessarily one of my strengths). God provides the appropriate balance at the right time.
I have discovered that taking a few minutes to reflect on my blessings and the grandeur of life helps me to regain my balance. Last night I walked to the top of our neighborhood hill, some 3400 feet above the sea. Off in the distance lightning danced across the sky. There was no thunder as the storm was many miles away. At that altitude, one can see for miles and miles, so I stood quietly just taking it all in.
As I was pondering the meaning of life atop the mountain, captivated by the beauty of my surroundings, I was suddenly startled back into reality by what I can only describe a loud snorting noise. Have you ever felt like someone was breathing down your neck? Well that’s how I felt! I couldn’t see any movement but I sure could hear it and even feel it. In a brief moment of panic, I uttered a few choice words and jumped back away from the side of the mountain top.
I really believe that God was looking down on my little pity party and decided that some levity was in order. It had to be a funny sight - a grown man so startled by the local wildlife. But all I could imagine was a scene from one of the animals gone wild videos. Here I stand watching quietly in awe the majesty of a distant thunderstorm only to be trampled and devoured by a heard of deer.
As you can see, I made it home alive (thanks to my family for the ride back down the hill). And we all had a good laugh at my expense. Last night God provided the necessary opportunity for a little humor and the perspective that I needed to achieve some balance. The serenity of the mountain top is a wonderful place to experience God’s grace. Next time I’ll take a flashlight and maybe even some deer repellent.
