Seeing is Believing

I live in a suburban neighborhood which has wildlife becoming increasingly abundant.  Deer, turkey, even coyote and bears.  It's a beautiful thing to me, but I fear for these gorgeous creatures because of their need for food and safety.  Roads and deer somehow do not mix.  It is sad to me and find myself praying when I see one of God's creatures in a place where safety is not a guarantee.

My sister lives on the top of a mountain in Connecticut.  She owns more acreage than I and wildlife is a part of her family's experience at home, as well.  They invite the critters by putting leftover food out when they can.  The sun goes down and it's only a matter of time that something will show up to partake - an opossum, or raccoon, or skunk...  Thanksgiving night we hit the jackpot upon seeing two of the most beautiful gray fox having followed their noses to Bonnie's backyard.

It was interesting, though, because the foxes did not immediately dig in.  They circled and scattered and closed in repeatedly.  "Who cooked this turkey?" was more than likely something their instinct was wondering.  I grew weary watching even these magnificently handsome animals, and left the sliding glass doors to find a comfy place by the fire.

Next morning, not even one wishbone remained in that yard.  Who had taken it?  Did the foxes finally reconcile the fact that this meat, which they did not have to hunt and kill, was still edible?  Did it become their sustenance for the next 24 hours?

I love that God feeds his creation, and I don't have to see it to believe it.