Sometimes Helping Hurts
Thursday Thoughts…
The more I’ve thought about this encounter I had yesterday the more I felt led to share a revelation that the Lord gave me about it. As I was doing deliveries, I came upon a mama deer crossing the road and then saw her very new fawn behind her. The baby immediately bedded down in the grass in a fearful nature, but Mom kept going to a nearby house. I stopped in the middle of the road and put my hazards on and started recording. (Please forgive the poor video quality and cracked windshield.) But what concerned me most was when the baby stood up and continued to try to follow Mom and then immediately laid down on the hot asphalt in the middle of the street. I stopped recording to call Shawn because I know humans really shouldn’t touch baby deer because it can cause the mother to reject them. Shawn had previously worked in animal rescue and I just couldn’t leave this baby lying in the middle of the street. He agreed that I shouldn’t touch it. As I sat there praying for it to move on and get out of the street, my plan was simply to warn any oncoming traffic and protect the baby as long as I could. Fortunately, it stood up rather quickly and continued on across the street. The mom had stayed nearby and watched the whole time. So, it was reassuring that they were reunited. This baby must’ve been born yesterday or maybe the day before and was still getting its footing, it appeared.
The revelation? Though my immediate inclination was to intervene and scoop up this baby and get it out of the street, my wisdom knew that could be more detrimental in the long run. So, I chose to stay nearby to try to protect it in other ways. Oftentimes in life, and especially as parents, we want to intervene and help people. But, truthfully, many times that intervention can cause further detriment that lasts beyond the lesson that needs to be learned. Interestingly, as part of our Bible study yesterday morning, the lady that teaches it on the Bible app, made the statement, in reference to our reading in Proverbs, that “Sometimes letting a person lie in the bed they’ve made, is the best way to get them to take that mattress to the dump!” Obviously, the situation with this baby fawn isn’t quite the same, but the principle of being very cautious about intervening still applies. It can be hard to watch dangerous situations and suffering, but God knows what He’s doing and we should always seek and heed His wisdom.
#thursdaythoughts #faithoverfear #godswisdom #lifelessons #christianencouragement
During my own experiences with wildlife, I've often learned that immediate intervention isn't always the best choice—even when our instincts urge us to act. This story of a baby fawn lying down in the street reminded me how delicate and complex nature and parenting can be. Much like in human relationships, especially as parents or caregivers, there is a fine balance between helping and overstepping. One time, I noticed a young bird fallen from its nest, struggling but still alive. My first reaction was to rescue it and bring it inside. However, after some research, I learned that the best action was to observe quietly and allow the mother to care for it, as human handling can sometimes cause abandonment or harm. Patience and respect for natural processes were key. This aligns closely with the story of the fawn and the principle shared in Proverbs—sometimes, letting others 'lie in the bed they've made' is necessary for growth and learning. This approach can be difficult, especially when we witness suffering or danger. Yet, through faith and wisdom, I've come to understand that protective instincts should be balanced with trust in the natural order and divine guidance. Supporting without smothering, watching without interfering unnecessarily, often leads to the most meaningful outcomes. This revelation encourages a mindful kind of help—where we protect and guide without taking away important life lessons. It’s a reminder to seek God’s wisdom in decisions about when and how to assist others. Sharing this has encouraged me to slow down, observe carefully, and act with thoughtful intention, whether dealing with nature, parenting, or helping others in everyday life.
