C'mon Girls

This past weekend we had a WONDERFUL time with our Son in law’s family. A marriage does not divide a family (at least it shouldn’t) but it enlarges the family! We had a great time visiting together, enjoying meals together and being a part of their lives.

Along with raising a family, being a grandparent, running a successful business, and being an active part of their church fellowship; Sam and Suzzanne also raise cattle, goats and a few chickens. The farm had some great lessons and reminders for me. I think you will like hearing about them.

The cattle KNOW the sound of Sam’s vehicle and the sound of Sam’s voice. When he would pull around to the back pasture and shout “C’mon girls” the cattle would come trotting along. They knew that he was there to care for them and they were running to see him. It brought to my mind John 10:3 “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” What is true of sheep is also true of cattle; they know when the master calls their name!

John 10:5 says: “A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” I saw this truth demonstrated one day when I took a 50 pound bag of sweet feed into the pen to pour out in the feeding trough. Most of the cattle stood outside the pen and simply stared at me. They knew that they didn’t know me and they were not too eager to come near to me. But when Sam stepped into the pen, you better get out of their way; because they were kicking up the dust to get in there too.

The parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15) was also brought to life while on our visit. A call came in from a neighbor that a calf had somehow gotten out of the pasture. When a call like that comes in you basically drop what you are doing and go out to find the livestock that has gotten away from the rest of the herd. Thankfully the momma cow was standing inside the fence and the calf was on the other side. It was a pretty easy task to reunite the two. We opened the gate and directed the calf back into the pasture. You may be tempted to think “If the calf got out on its own it ought to be able to get back in on its own.” Well, that wasn’t the case. Help was needed to get the wandering one back into the herd.

How grateful I am to know the voice of my “Good Shepherd.” How blessed to know how much He cares for me. I am also glad to know that the “Good Shepherd” is eager to bring the wandering ones back into the safety of the fold.

So, I am grateful for the time I had on the farm this past weekend. We are blessed to have our family enlarged and enriched through the bonds of marriage. I am also thankful for the truth that 50+ cows taught me about hearing the “Good Shepherd’s” voice and being blessed by the “Good Shepherd’s” care.

 I am thankful for the “Moooo-ving” experience I had on the farm,
Mikw