As the Deer Pants for the Water
After time in Frisco and Tulsa, my journey was six hours southeast to Rusk, TX. That’s where Epiphany Ranch is located. The 62 acres permanently house women who have had tremendous life changes and they carry on there in supporting and helping meet the goals of the ministry to help as many other people as possible.
There is also a tiny home/cabin called “The Love Cabin” that is offered to those who come in for short-term periods where they are given respite, counseling, and other life change opportunities.
I was one of those in the Love Cabin last weekend. How sweet it was! I was weary from weeks of preparation and the delivery of God’s Word to a beautiful group of women, the driving, and then in Tulsa to give respite to my family who gives Mom 24/7 care.
When I arrived at Epiphany Ranch, I was welcomed by all the inhabitants there — people, dogs, cats, and chickens. Lots of photos that describe my inspirations!
Just the right timing for rejuvenation. A beautiful Sunday brunch made for us while watching an online ministry event of invigorating praise and worship, followed by a message that stirred us all up. Each of us shared what that message meant to us. Enlightening reflections by all!
A precious 2-month-old baby filled my arms’ need to be in heavenly bliss. It was the same for my granddaughter and daughter, too! I captured many photos of a sweet 6-year-old boy being mentored and inspired by REAL men, my grandson, Payton, and his dad, Larry — both who love so deeply.
Epiphany Ranch is indeed its name: Epiphany (the manifestation of the Lord)! While we were enjoying the Lord’s presence, I looked out the back windows and three deer were lapping up water from the 7-acre lake. Immediately, I thought of God’s Word: “As the deer pants for water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1)
I can just imagine those deer without water for hours at a time and how they pant for a drink in the lake. They find their source of life. How refreshing it is!
Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
I was tired and weary when I arrived at Epiphany Ranch, but I left revived and restored. We were created for God – to know Him, to walk with Him, and to find our source of life from Him. Nothing else will sustain us, even good things. He is the water that we need – like the deer panting for the water.
We don’t have to be in green pastures or by still waters, because right here, right now, wherever we are, we can take in the presence of God. He is as near as that body of water was for those deer.
Our spirit cries out for God. There is a deep well inside of our hearts that many times must be re-dug through worship, prayer, and meditation on the Word of God.
There is nothing more powerful than drinking in the refreshing living waters that our Lord provides. Just as the deer find their water – we find the place that our souls are longing for – in faith and in God’s presence and His truths.
May God quench our thirst for fellowship with Him and may His presence be as calming as the deer who are refreshed by the cool, refreshing waters that they find.