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Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Dig a Well

 I remember when I saw this doe and fawn. It's the smallest fawn I'd ever seen. Must be a day or two old. I found it in the backyard of my favorite deer watching neighborhood in Maryland.

Recently I was made known of a song I'd not heard of before. "Leave a Well in the Valley." I love the words, especially the chorus, and several groups sing it on YouTube.

"Leave a well in the valley
your dark and lonesome valley
for others have to walk that valley too
what a blessing they will find
the well of JOY you've left behind
leave a well in the valley you go through."

Gordon Jensen, Lyrics 

These words struck a cord in me. As a note writer who wants to encourage those that I write, I definitely believe sharing what God has done for you will help others. You can encourage, inspire and motivate a person who is walking through their own valley.

And this was the first time I saw a fawn nursing. Same neighborhood. What a thrill!

The phrase "leave a well in the valley" signifies hope and joy. That you made it through and others will too. My dictionary defines "well" as "a spring serving as a source of water." Such as "streams in the desert."  Isiah 35:6.
 
There is also a book by the same title by Dale Peterson. I appreciate these words he said: "Emotional and spiritual stamina begins with the tiniest seed--thoughts of hope deep within the recesses of our hearts and minds." How true. That word hope matters. Hope. HOPE! GOD'S HOPE!

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."
 Psalm 71:14

Hope is a big word for me. I live it. I trust it. I believe it. Sharing that hope with others makes a difference. 

These are some of the buck that started coming up to our back gate morning and evening from July to October after I prayed and asked God to give me some opportunities to take pictures of buck the previous November. We had eight to enjoy each day.

I also like these words Dave Brown said in the description of this book on Amazon: "God prepares deep valleys for some of us to walk through in order to touch many lives with His love and grace . . . Instead of allowing Peterson's troubles to destroy him, he dug wells in his valleys that would not only refresh him but also water the lives of those his life touches."

I believe strongly in leaving a well in the valley so others can be refreshed. The second verse says:
"Blessed is the man who has learned to understand
He's to be the hand of God to those in need
then all the tears that you have shed
with God's help become instead
a precious balm for those hearts that bleed." 

This doe and twin fawn were one of the first that started coming up to our back gate when we started feeding deer in Maryland. The snap where both fawn heads showed was too blurry. But it's been one of my favorite snaps of doe and fawn.

My life verse identifies with the words "leave a well in the valley:" Proverbs 11:25: " . . . he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."  In Matthew Henry's Commentary he speaks about Proverbs 11:25:

 "The liberal soul, the soul of blessing, that prays for the afflicted and provides for them, that scatters blessings with gracious lips and generous hands, that soul shall be made fat with true pleasure and enriched with more grace . . . He that waters others with the streams of his bounty shall be also watered himself, God will certainly return it in the dew, in the plentiful showers, of his blessing, which he will pour out, till there be not room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10)

Our first family of triplets! What a thrill to watch for them each day.

I'm so thankful for the joy that is ours because of the creative gifts of writers who fill our soul with good things to read. I'm so glad I was introduced to this song. It is encouragement to me!

And that well you dig in the valley? It may just refresh you again, for we all walk through many valleys in our lifetime.

This is the first fawn I found lying down in the woods. I was turning a corner in my car and spotted it about 30 feet into the woods. I was able to get out of my car and walk to the edge of the woods and take pictures. Another great thrill for this amateur photographer. 

Yes, He does give you the desires of your heart, even when you just want to take a picture of buck, doe and fawn! "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4


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