Psalm 42:1 – As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. (NKJV)

Recently, on our way home after delivering a sermon tape to a member of our congregation who was ill, my husband brought our car to an abrupt halt. On looking up, I saw an elegant deer standing directly in front of us. Off to the side were two more. This is a common sight in our area.

As we proceeded slowly, we kept seeing more deer: two here, three there. By the time we were almost out of the wooded area, we had spotted ten young deer. Suddenly an eleventh one appeared, then the twelfth one. Thinking that would be all for the day, I said to my husband that that was the same number as there were apostles — what a blessing!

The twelfth deer hesitated and looked back before crossing the road. Just at the side was a tiny fawn getting a drink at a small stream. "There's the thirteenth one, and I'm thinking that there was another apostle to replace Judas, so Christ would still have his twelve followers to serve others."

By doing such simple service for others — as we were doing that day — we can all receive blessings. It was a blessing that made our hearts soar — and one that I hope will fill your heart with gladness.

We must never, through busyness, miss the opportunity to do a service for others, for in doing so we receive blessings a thousandfold. Even the animals serve each other: the twelfth deer served the tiny fawn by hesitating, and alerting us that there was a young fawn which might just dart across the road in the path of the car.

Matthew 20:28 – The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (NKJV)

Prayer: Loving Father, hear our prayer. Thank You for the beauty with which You surround us. May we always be ready to serve others, no matter how menial the task may seem. Through serving others, may we come to know the great richness of Your love. Amen.

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About the author:

June Heale <jinnybug@shaw.ca>
Parksville, British Columbia, Canada
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