Compassion is Heartbreaking...Sometimes

Little did I know, this morning when I asked the Lord to use me for good today, that it would mean I would be asked to help put a suffering creature out of its misery?

On my way to work in Vernonia, I saw a small deer lying on the side of the highway. Part of its tiny body was lying in the road forcing me, and the two log trucks behind me, to swerve to avoid running over of it. About a half mile down the road I was impressed to go back; to not leave the poor thing lying in the road.

So, promising not to ignore promptings, I turned my car around and went back. I pulled into the driveway of a house not to far from where the tiny creature lay, grabbed the two plastic bags I had in my coat pocket to use as gloves, walked across the highway and approached the animal.

As I got closer I could see that the poor thing was still alive. I approached slowly, as to not scare it anymore than it already was. I was sad that I was now going to have to pull the tiny broken body off the road and cause it more pain. I apologized for what I was about to do, grabbed its two front legs and gently pulled it off the highway. Then I comforted it for a few moments. What could I do? I had no gun in my car with which to end its short life. I was impressed to go to the house across the street.

I left the poor tiny creature alone, walked to the house and knocked on the door. An elderly man came to the door. I explained that someone had hit a young deer and it was suffering. I asked if he had a gun and would be willing put it out of its misery. He said he did and quickly went to get a small revolver. I thanked him, got in my car and drove away; not wanting to watch, but knowing it was the right thing to do. I could see the man approach the tiny creature as I drove around a corner.

I found a safe place to turn my car around so I could head into town. As I approached the man’s house, he was just crossing the highway, after completing the necessary deed. I slowed down to thank him again. I’m sure it wasn’t any easier for him, but it had to be done.

As I drove away I started to cry thinking about that tiny suffering creature and wondering how long it had laid there, scared and unable to move, waiting for compassion; as loud vehicles rushed by, no one willing to stop.

Thank you Lord; for making me an instrument in your hands.