A Life Rescued

Mandy always loved spring because it meant the end of long, hard winters where she and her family battled the cold, snowy Indiana climate. But this spring signified more than just an end to a cold winter--it was the end of a long, hard journey and the beginning of a new one. Even though she knew the journey ahead of her would be the hardest one she would ever take; it was a journey she was destined to make. Moments from the past few months flashed through Mandy’s mind and she found her eyes growing wet again.

Tears were always close to the surface these days, prompted by a variety of different emotions. Today, they fell freely with thoughts of determination, renewed hope, and a peace that she never knew before. It was the peace she had read about in her Bible that morning. It came from Philippians 4:7 which says, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” It was this peace she was discovering through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that she needed right now. Mandy staked her claim deep in the soil of this verse and was determined to take refuge in this promise in the days ahead.

Warmed by the morning sun and lost in her thoughts, Mandy drifted off to sleep. The singing birds seemed to be humming a lullaby and soon Mandy was dreaming. She had the recurring dream that haunted her over the past few months. It was also the dream that played a distinct role in the life changing decisions she recently made.

In her dream, Mandy is walking through a forest, thick with trees and brush and the sounds of creatures she can’t identify. At every turn, she becomes entangled in the mass of hanging branches and undergrowth. She ventures further and further from the light and darkness creeps in around her. Her heart races as she tries desperately to find her way out of the maze of trees.

She is startled by the scurry of something in the bushes behind her. Instinctively, she turns to find herself eye to eye with a massive doe. Mandy catches her breath and is paralyzed with fear. However, the doe, is not startled by the sight of her. Their eyes lock. The doe’s big brown eyes pierce deep into Mandy’s soul. They are filled with pain and sorrow. Mandy is so moved by the sadness in the doe’s eyes that she feels compelled to reach out and console her. The doe flinches at Mandy’s touch, but Mandy doesn’t give up. She lays her hand on her neck and gently strokes her soft fur. The doe releases a low groan that seems to come from deep within her heart. The sound doesn’t frighten Mandy yet draws her in more. She senses the doe has immense grief. Although it is strange to connect with an animal, Mandy feels as if their souls touch. Mandy understands that this gentle creature is heartbroken. There is something about the doe that endears her to Mandy and she is filled with empathy and compassion. As if she is part of a science-fiction fairytale, Mandy feels an urgency to stay with the doe. The doe makes a move and Mandy follows alongside her with eagerness. The doe takes the lead and they walk side by side through the forest. Mandy realizes that she isn’t afraid of the forest anymore. She is strangely comforted by following the doe through the forest. It is the doe’s domain, after all, and Mandy feels safe by her side.

Mandy felt like the doe’s movements were intentional, that she was deliberately leading her somewhere. She walked with purpose and determination but was careful not to get ahead of Mandy. Mandy whispered, “Where are we going, girl?” The sound of crunching leaves underfoot was interrupted by the roar of rushing water. The doe’s steps quickened with a sense of urgency as she rushed towards the source of the water. Mandy was short of breath and finding it difficult to keep up. She feared losing her if she decided to run.

The doe stopped as if to wait on Mandy, looking back at her and pawing the ground with urgency, signaling Mandy to pick up the pace. Mandy broke into a jog only for the doe to take off again quickly as they approached a river. In the distance, Mandy saw a pile of rocks that formed a roughhewn circle on the river bank.

The doe made a full sprint toward the rock pile. Keeping the doe in her sights, Mandy dashed to catch up to her. She saw the doe pacing around the rocks, pawing the ground, putting her nose to the sand and acting peculiar. Mandy was fearful of where the doe had led her and what she might find, but she trusted her completely.

Breathless, Mandy arrived at the rock pile. The loud, nervous panting of the doe seemed louder than the roar of the river. She was clearly in a state of panic. Mandy approached the rock pile with caution, peering carefully in. Then, she saw it…the source of the poor doe’s despair.

“Mandy, Mandy, wake up!” Startled, Mandy abruptly woke up only to have with her roommate, Rae, peering at her with concern.

“You were having the dream again, weren’t you?” Rae asked.

Mandy, nodded yes. She looked at her sweet friend and said; “Yes, but it doesn’t seem as scary anymore”.

Rae stretched out her hand to assist Mandy from her comfy spot on the front porch.

Mandy accepted her friend’s help and stood up as straight as her bulging stomach would let her. She felt a little kick from inside her belly. Just as she had reached out to console the doe in her dreams, she now reached down to comfort the baby growing inside of her.