Another opportunity

to grow in patience.

I honestly couldn’t believe it.

How did the goat squeezed herself into the rabbit hutch?!

(Don’t worry, our bunny is safe. She was visiting our male rabbit, which is why the cage was empty.)

Over a week ago the goat learned she liked rabbit food.

Our granddaughter loves helping with the animals and since she’s only three we don’t make a big deal if she spills some food trying to feed the bunnies.

Unfortunately, one of the times I was taking the goat and sheep out to graze the goat was able to eat some of the grain spilled on the gravel and has been trying to get more.

She was very difficult to get out to the field this morning.

After about twenty minutes, I realized I couldn’t see her anymore.

After investigating, I knew she’d gone back to the barn.

When I got there, I stopped to take a picture.

This was definitely one of those “seeing is believing” moments

The rabbit feeders are only accessible from the inside so it never occurred to me I needed to worry about the goat getting inside the hutch.

And I facilitated this crazy moment by leaving the door open.

I can look back and realize the Lord had whispered to my heart to close the door.

How I wished I’d listened.

The goat didn’t want to leave the cage and I was more than slightly irritated when I got her out.

Rather than messing with her further, I put her back in her pen and took the sheep out to graze.

The goat will have to make due with the hay.

As I sit here watching the sheep graze, enjoying the soft breeze, and listening to the goat bleat, I’m reflecting.

First, that God uses all things and this is definitely an opportunity for me to stretch.

Second, that I can see my past in the behavior of this four hoofed beast, doing everything wrong in an effort to get what she thinks she needs.

And if I’d just listen to my Master, I’d have been well cared for without all the striving on my part.

Truly, God is patient and kind.

He teaches me to be joyful in everything, trusting that He is working through all things.

James 5:11 NKJV — Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You for giving me opportunities to be patient as well. Lord, please teach me what Your plan is for today, that I might not follow my own ways. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for our goat and all the lessons I’m learning through having her. I love You, Lord. Amen.

(Our son just called me and asked, “How do I get the goat off the shelf in barn?” I might have more to share with you later!)

Difficult animals

This is our goat.

Because we haven’t gotten the cross fence up, we take her and our lamb out to graze three times a day, sometimes more.

A few weeks ago the goat broke her collar, but she had learned to follow us out to the pasture so we didn’t bother to replace it, thinking it best to wait till she was bigger and could get a permanent collar.

As I sat outside with the sheep and goat, I wasn’t here long when I heard our son calling me.

He was struggling to lead the goat back down.

Then he explained he found her trashing the barn in an effort to get into the grain.

I looked over to check on the sheep.

Yup, she was still doing what we came out here to do.

I had to carefully tie the goat, in such a way as to keep her safe, and sat very near her so to be sure she’d be okay.

Did she go back to eating?

No, she began by knocking over the other chair, then chewed the cord on that chair, chewed my gloves, stuck her nose in my hot cup of tea, tried to sit on my lap…

I took the top picture after I had gotten up to put some distance between us, as I was feeling a bit frustrated with her.

“Why can’t you just eat?! That’s why we are out here?” I asked her.

The Lord reminded me: she’s a goat.

Goat’s are very curious.

They are not content to just eat grass, but need a variety of vegetation.

Brush, dead leaves, black berry bushes, weeds,…

They will even strip the bark off trees.

They are noted for climbing and leaping.

They can be difficult to keep in a fence.

Yet, they are very useful animals; they eat troublesome weeds, produce milk, and can be a source of meat.

Ours is a milk goat and we look forward to having our own milk for making cheese and soap and just for drinking.

The Lord’s reminder to my heart brought me truth.

I have to keep in mind they are just animals and will respond to life in their unique way.

The chickens act like chickens; the sheep like sheep; the goat…like every goat I’ve ever had.

All of this points me back to my Good Shepherd.

I want to behave like a sheep.

Following my Master, filling myself with His Word, listening for His voice.

(Our lamb comes when I call her.)

Not going off by myself, or trying to fill up on things God hasn’t given me, or making a mess because I’m not where I’m supposed to be, ignoring the voice of my Master.

I want to obey and reside in the place the Lord has for me, rather than waste that trying to get something else.

For He has supplied my every need and given the best, most important gift of all.

Psalm 68:19 NKJV — Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this lesson. Please help me to be a follower of You. Show me my stubborn waywardness that I might repent and turn back to You. Lord Jesus, I want to walk in Your ways, resting in Your provision, waiting upon You for all things. Please continue to teach me daily. And Lord, help me to be wise with how we care for these animals You have given us. Thank You for the blessings they bring. I love You, Jesus. Amen.