Tom Satre told the Sitka Gazette that he was out with a charter group on his 62-foot fishing vessel when four juvenile black-tailed deer swam directly toward his boat.
“Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at us. We could tell right away that the young bucks were distressed.
“I opened up my back gate and we helped the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals onto the boat. In all my years fishing, I’ve never seen anything quite like it!
“Once on-board, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering. We headed for Taku Harbour. Once we reached the dock, the first buck that we had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back as if to say ‘thank you’ and disappeared into the forest.
“After a bit of prodding and assistance, two more followed, but the smallest deer needed a little more help (that’s him in the wheelbarrow).
“My daughter, Anna, and son, Tim, helped the last buck to its feet. We didn’t know how long they had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive. My daughter later told me that the experience was something that she would never forget, and I suspect the deer felt the same way as well!”
source: Northern Broadcasting, Second Chance Ranch
When I read this true story, I couldn’t help but be reminded of what it means to be rescued spiritually. Naturally, we are like those young bucks– helpless in the cold waters of death– headed for a lost eternity. We really don’t want to admit we’re unable to reach the other shore, but when we finally realize that the time is short, we’re not ready, and we can’t get there on our own, there is a safe haven available for us to swim toward. It’s not in our nature to get into that boat and let the Lord Jesus take us in, but when we’re desparate, we finally give in and accept His kind, nail-pierced hands. Then the Lord sets us free, giving us a new life, a new location and destination, and a new love for the things of God. It is an experience we will never forget– a life-changing one!
Have you experienced it?
You can, because He can! He’s able to save because He went into the waters of death and judgment on the cross to take our death sentence for us. His blood paid the debt in full. Receive Him, and what He has done for you, and then you will be able to say “THANK YOU” too!