The Zoo

This morning, and several recent mornings in fact, I have had the privilege of observing the neighborhood deer. He was a beautiful, young stag. He was running through the brush and I found myself (even for just one moment) captivated by the beauty in which his body moved. It was breath-taking. I realized what a rare moment it was that to have the privilege of seeing God's creations in their own environment. Most often, I see sad animals in zoos and wild life refuges. How this is in no way the same as seeing an animal free from constraint and the difference between the two sights is nothing short of amazing. It made me a little sad as I realized many of these ancients have witnessed an encroaching human presence. It made me laugh to think that indeed this particular stag had came to visit me in the human zoo this morning.

As I reflect on this, I am hoping to spend my day treating the animals I encounter more like God's creations and the people that I encounter, less like animals.