Looking Back to See

     “Mom!”

     The all-points bulletin, in wailing tones of more than 100 decibels, came from the other side of several aisles of grocery store shelves.

     It’s been a long time since my children were small, but the troubled cry of “Mom” still captures my attention. It triggers an amazing response, which some might call a primordial mothering instinct. I say my reaction is the result of years of doing all those things moms do: administering band-aids and cough medicine; calling out spelling words; citing words of wisdom and listening, listening, listening.

     “Mom!” The call demands my concern.

     Several years ago, while driving through a wooded area of my beautiful Maine village, I came upon a herd of deer. Several of them, which were fleeing for cover in a deep ravine, had crossed the road before I arrived. Instead of continuing their flight, they stopped and looked back to see the progress of the remaining members of the herd, which continued to pick their way down a steep slope of stones and trees and on to the road.

     As I continued my drive, I considered those deer. Why did they wait for the others? Although they were so near the safety of the ravine, they were still close to perceived danger.  And so, I thought about us. Do we “look back to see” the well-being of others – those who might be calling “Mom!” or even “Dad!” however silently.

     Scriptures address the value of looking out for the interest of others: Philippians 2:3-4.

                                                                                             - Martha Black Sutherland