But, in a grain of salt, there are about 1016 atoms. So, we cannot know the universe. We cannot even fully understand a grain of salt. We can develop a very personal relationship with God – He loves us and we can love Him. But, we cannot fully comprehend Him. We can work very hard with that marvelous brain he gave us to understand some of the laws of nature – of gravity, of electro-magnetic force, of the weak force that causes the conversion of a neutron to a proton, an electron and an antineutrino and that strong force that keeps atoms from flying apart; but, we can only begin to contemplate the infinite mysteries of the universe and its creator.

Here I am still camped out in Huntsville State Park, with my stack of books, seeking truth, and talking to a deer who had appeared before me and who was, with apparent authority, lecturing me in religious matters. The revelations that it was making to me were awesome. I couldn’t stand it any longer, I had to ask it the questions directly.

“Who or what are you really?” I asked.

“Why do you want to know?” the deer questioned. “Can’t you comprehend the truth that I have conveyed to you without putting a name to the source? Is it not self-evident?”

“What you have conveyed to me sounds good. But, how do I know that I can trust you? How do I know that it comes from God?”

“Trust? Have you not given that to God? Do you not trust God?” The deer startled me with this question.

“I want to,” I said, “but I sometimes wonder about what He does or does not do. I want to think of Him as a loving and compassionate God; but, there is so much evil in the world and so many natural disasters... people suffering and dying. Why does He permit such things? He could prevent them, couldn’t He?”

“We’ve already talked about suffering and dying and the presence of God in all things. Suffering can bring you closer to God through a common bond with His Son and dying is the only way to get to heaven. Got it?”

“Okay…but it’s hard to accept.”

“Why is it hard to accept?” the deer asked. “Is it because you don’t truly trust in God?”

“Yes, I trust God. But, I don’t know whether He responds.”

The deer became agitated. “There you go again…thinking and acting like a mortal human – which is, of course, natural because that is what you are. But, you must remember that you are not God. You cannot comprehend the mind of God. You do not have more than a scintilla of knowledge about the overall scheme of the universe or the plan He has for you. So don’t try to second guess Him. He is in charge. He knows what He is doing. He does not produce random inconsistencies.”

The deer continued to instruct me. “There is a reason for everything that happens. Humans are the cause of most of what you consider bad or evil occurrences in the world. It is not even Satan causing them – just human folly. God doesn’t start wars or pollute the planet. He doesn’t cause violence or violations of natural law by humans, nor does He foster hatred. In fact, He gave humans ten (10) commandments to follow to prevent them from doing those things. His Son gave you eight (8) blessings to live by. I have given you seven (7) gifts. If everyone followed these guides and used them to form their lives and values, the world would be a paradise just short of heaven itself. So, what more do you need in order to trust in God?”

The deer then assumed a deep, resonant voice and seemed to grow larger. “Trust is the philosophical stance taken when you are not sure of something. It is the theological virtue defined as a secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God’s will. You must let your thoughts soar and escape you…then stop analyzing and simply give-in to a complete Trust in God.”

“Okay. I will do my best to accomplish that. But, so that I can more easily trust the teachings that you have given me, tell me who or what you are. From where do you come? What is your name?”

The deer bowed its head as if in deep thought. He hesitated as if deciding whether to reveal the answers to my questions as to its origins, but then the deer confided the following:

“I am everything and nothing. I come from everywhere and nowhere. I am the wind, the air, the sun, the moon, the soil, and the oceans. I am all of these and none of them. The moment you try to define me, you misrepresent me. I have taken the form of a deer tonight in order to better communicate with you –to give you a visual reference point. The ‘speech’ you thought you heard was telepathic impressions – an advanced form of communications which I temporarily enabled in you and which allows the transfer of concise, detailed impressions in a very small amount of time.”

“Tonight, I have shown you the seven (7) gifts that I gave to the world several millennia ago and which I have brought to your attention this night. They are also found in the Bible which you brought with you. I have shown you the meaning of Wisdom, Understanding, Piety, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, and Fear of the Lord…My 7 gifts to humankind*.”

“But, what is your name?”

“I am a part of the Holy Trinity –those three glorious aspects of God, the Creator of all things and all philosophy. I am His ever-present advocate. My name is: ‘SPIRIT’.”

With this revelation, the image of the deer seemed to sparkle and glow brilliantly. A white cloud formed around it. The deer then disappeared; but, I had the feeling that there was still a presence there.

I packed my things and drove home…not sure what I had experienced or whether I had experienced anything at all.

This is the end of my nine-part private revelation which I shared with you.

In the next issue, there will be an Epilogue

NOTE: The dialogue in all of this series of articles was constructed from the impressions I received during my encounters with the deer and do not represent actual conversation. The seven (7) gifts that I received (or was reminded of) that night were, however, very real.

*Pursuant to an update of the language to modern usage, “Piety” is now known as “Reverence”; “Fortitude is known as “Courage”; “Counsel” is known as “Right Judgment” and “Fear of the Lord” is known as “Wonder and Awe”.

Links to all of Bob’s columns, including Parts I-VIII of this series, can be found at www.newsnet713.com/BobConnor.htm.

Links to all of Bob’s columns, including Parts I-VIII of this series, can be found at www.newsnet713.com/BobConnor.htm.

Bob Connor is a continuing education teacher at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. You can reach him at bobconn@earthlink.net