I was working upstairs on the computer entering data into iBank when Penny appeared. She often would come and see what I was doing and then go elsewhere, crawl under the desk and sleep, or sleep in the room somewhere. This time was different. She was whining, pawing at my leg, and then running to the office door. 

“Lie down” I ordered. No compliance, in fact now she added barks to her pawing at my leg then running to the door. It dawned on me that something was up. “Ok, what’s up,” I said getting up and following her to the door. With a happy yelp, she raced downstairs to her leash. 

“Ah, you know something I don’t. Seems like it is time for us to go.” And so we did. 

Walking in, I spotted Aslan and Bear waiting at the crossroads. When we walked to meet them, they turned and disappeared to the right. This is the way the dinosaurs went. Not so sure about this, but there was no way I was going to miss out on what surprises he had planned for us. 

We followed them and entered the meadow where we had gone horseback riding. Penny was already scouting and ran to where the pair was waiting. They had gone in and sat down by the stream, next to the rocky hill. I walked over to them saw that they were guarding a flat rock that was acting like a table. On it was a pitcher of water with a glass, a bunch of red grapes and some yellow cheese. There was even a dog biscuit for Penny. 

I looked around at the lush green pasture, full of life and color. There were flowers everywhere. I could see them growing if I didn’t blink. I recognized hollyhocks, primroses, nasturtiums, and my mom’s favorite—lily-of-the-valley. Roses bloomed, climbers and bushes. Violets, and so many more whose names I did not know. The combination of scents was not cloying but energizing. The blend was perfect. The grass under my feet was dark green and wiggled a little from the life in the ground. It was enchanting. The connection to David’s song was not lost on me. 

I turned back to the rocks to find him perched up higher on the hillside. “Do you approve?” 

“Lord, it is perfect. Thank you for the treat for Penny.” He smiled as I called to her.

She saw that I had something for to eat, came running and chewed it up quickly. I took my time with my treat. The water was bubbling with vitality. I could feel it like a living thing in my tummy and as it spread out in my body. A strange but delightful sensation. The grapes were sweet and crisp. The cheese was of a kind that has no earthly home. It reminded me of Heidi eating cheese in her grandfather’s loft. I could imagine that it might have tasted almost this good. It was amazing. Even though I wanted more, I was satisfied. “I give you thanks and praise for your provision.”

Feeling drowsy, I laid down in a slight hollow that just fit me. The earth under me moved to cushion and cradle me. I drifted off to sleep. How long, I don’t know. I never know here because there doesn’t seem to be time. Everything is now. Penny snuggled in and even Aslan and Bear had a quick snooze. I startled awake, dreaming of Dorothy and the poppy fields. Not here, I chuckled. 

Sitting up I looked toward the stream and saw a magnificent stag.  He was standing on the other side of the water with a doe at his side. He had a huge rack, with 7 points on each side. That would mean he was older and experienced. They were mule dear with the white tail over a white butt that flicked almost constantly. 

Penny was beside herself with excitement. She ran to the stream, jumped in and began dog paddling to the other side. I was on my feet as I did not know if she could get that far. I looked over at Aslan who seem nonplused by her adventure. As she neared the other side she began to founder. Bear came to the rescue, walked across, and picked her up. Putting her down, she began shaking off the water. The doe moved a bit further away from the spray. Then she put her head down to touch noses, an act that delighted both Penny and me. Penny even gave her a little lick of thanks. 

Penny moved around the doe, sniffing, and giving bids to play. No response. The buck paid no attention to Penny, and she didn’t go near him. He shook his massive head, rattling some, and walked across the stream. The doe followed. Before Penny could repeat her performance, Bear picked her up and walked across, putting her down at my feet. I reached out and scratched him behind his ears, something I knew he enjoyed. My way of saying thanks. 

I looked around and determined that Jesus was still sitting up on the rocks. The doe circled the meadow, poking in spaces and sniffing the air. Her ears moved constantly, and independently, her eyes looking everywhere. I wondered why she was doing this and not him. Would it not be for the male to do, to see if an area is ok? Guess not, for when she finished, she walked back through the stream and disappeared into the woods. 

“Lord, why did she go?”

“Patience.”

Penny had gone to the stream’s edge and began barking and whining. She ran to Jesus and barked up at him, then ran back to the edge. “Not so much patience there either, Lord.” Jesus climbed down and went to Penny who was obviously distressed. He placed his hand softly on the top of her head and she calmed and lay down. I wish she would that for me, I thought. I have long admired her ability to wait and watch. She does it when I am dressing in the morning. She lies on the bed and watches. When I am ready, I’ll say, “let’s go” and she hops down and follows me downstairs. Or she will lie at the open patio door, just watching and waiting. That’s what I was seeing now.

There was a rustling in the woods across the stream, out stepped the doe and beside her was a fawn. That’s why she was checking out the territory. She had it hidden until she knew it was safe. What a great mom. She stepped into the stream and the young one followed. She nudged it on; when the water got deep, she used her nose and head to lift it up. They both arrived safely.  Penny was the welcoming committee. 

But the fawn had other plans. First it nursed, an activity that was most intriguing to Penny. She sat by the fawn, almost under the doe and looked and sniffed. I bet she could smell the milk and wondered what it was. She was drooling a bit and licking her jowls like she does when her peanut butter treat is on the way.  When the nursing was finished the doe moved off and the fawn went over to say hi to dad. The stag leaned down and nuzzled his offspring. That brought tears to my eyes. Penny sat waiting and watching. 

The stag then came over to where Jesus was standing. He stood taller, shook his mighty rack, and then bowed his head down to his creator. Wow was all I could express. How beautiful a moment. We all know who Jesus is, he is our Creator. Even the dinosaurs of last time were created by him. Quite a motley bunch they were, and I wondered why. 

“They were right for their time and place,” came the answer. 

I went back to the sitting place, leaned against the rocks, and watched Penny and the fawn play. Jesus came and sat by me. I leaned my head against his shoulder, contented. My Shepherd. “Can I come here often?” 

“As often as you want. It will always be a place of peace, rest and safety.”

“About those dinosaurs,” I ventured. 

“I loved them as I do all of my creation.”

The stag stepped out into the middle of the green pasture and made some kind of sound. Like a soft snort. The doe moved to get the fawn and they left. Not by going across the stream, but on a track across from where we were sitting. There are more places to get around here, I observed.

We all stood, I hugged Jesus, and followed Aslan and Bear out to the exit. Penny followed but kept looking back. I suspected that she did not want to leave either. But I believed his word that we could come here whenever we wanted to. This was his gift, to lie down in green pastures. Safe.