Bambi & Spruce Pine Mountain!
Toyota Camry Vs. Bambi descending Spruce Pine Mountain in Russellville – I’m OK, but Bambi didn’t make it! It wasn’t really Bambi – it was more like her mama. Our encounter occurred as I was traveling north on highway 43 yesterday afternoon.
I caught a glimpse of her in my peripheral vision to the left and all I could think of is my husband telling me NEVER to swerve to avoid hitting an animal. So I didn’t – I held tight to my steering wheel and braced for the impact! BOOM – I don’t even know which direction she went after I hit her, and later, we couldn’t find the carcass. Someone asked me how big the deer was. I am pretty sure it was the biggest one in the state of Alabama based on the thud and damage!
In all my years of traveling back roads all over north west Alabama, this is my first encounter with a deer and pray it is my last. The scariest part of this whole ordeal was when I looked in my rearview mirror right after impact and saw a big old truck bearing down on me. If you are familiar with Spruce Pine Mountain, you know that the posted speed limit on this 4-lane is 65 mph. I was going that, plus a few to spare. This scripture popped into my mind as I saw that truck on my back bumper: You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5.
Think about the truth in this verse. I fully expected that deer to end up in my face or maybe in the passenger seat! God’s hand totally had me enclosed “before” so this didn’t happen. Don’t forget the truck bearing down on me from “behind”! Oh my – how awful it could have been due to the steep grade of that mountain and the 65 mph speed!
Thank You God for your protective hand that cradled me from before and behind! It makes me reflect on your Hebrew name of El Shaddai – God Almighty or God of the Mountains. I think this might include Spruce Pine Mountain in Franklin County!