Monday Morning Rodeo
“The cows are out.” I hate those words. I said them to myself a few Mondays ago. I had had a blissful morning looking up scriptures, praying and posting my May entries for this website. I had risen early to think and write. I came out of my reverie about 8:30 to hear cows lowing in uncharacteristic locations, specifically just outside the back door in my husband’s rose beds. One of the most assertive mamas had somehow managed to lift the chain on the new back gate and led several others into sinful indulgence. The Kawasaki mule had a dead battery and the only recourse I had was on foot. I ran out of the house without my farm boots or my phone. I was frantic to keep them off the busy highway. The resulting fracas would have won $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Alas, no cameras!
For the next hour, I chased and pleaded, begged, prayed and even fumed with cows to get out of the front yard, the side yard, the dirt road and the vegetable garden. Since we’ve been working on new fences around here, the changed configurations of boundaries left the girls confused and bewildered. At one point several more cows and calves came through the open gate, but the Lord helped me get the majority back in the corral. Eventually, I narrowed it down from six to three. Still three stubborn and willful girls stomped through the silver queen corn, the tomatoes, the cabbage, and ate most of the collards. They pooped everywhere and I almost slipped as we played ring-around-the-shed. Eventually I got them in a side field and persuaded them into another gate. Then I called my husband and told him I was moving. But I didn’t.
Hosea 4:16 discusses Israel’s errant behavior. God says that “Israel is stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. Can the Lord pasture them like a lamb in a large field?” God looks on our willfulness that way. God gave Israel everything they needed and wanted. Yet they went their own way downward into depravity. Think about it. The heifer’s given nature is to rebel and make her own choices. That won’t do. In fact, prestigious owners break prize calves by putting them in halters and teaching them to walk for exhibition in the show ring.
It’s easy to think that Israel’s level of sin doesn’t apply to us. But, our tendency to go our own way isn’t good. Isaiah 53:6 says, “we have turned, each one, to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] to fall on Him [instead of us]” (AMP). Our rebellion cost Him a cross. Christ teaches submission, humility, brokenness, even servant hood.
God uses hilarious lessons to remind us of that at times. That Monday I went from spiritual feasting in the Word to practical illustration in a matter of seconds. I learned what it means to be a contentious heifer.
I don’t want God to think that way of me!
Oh God, I’m open to hear your Word and put it in practice. Break me. Use me.
Oh Luwana, what a sight that must of been! Lol Great illustration though.
I am so sorry that you had to chase the cows back where the belonged. Great illustration of our own willfulness. 🙂
A great spiritual lesson- perfect illustration.
I wish I could have been there to help you!!
My son said later, “Mom. why didn’t you just just get a bucket and pretend you had a treat?” I didn’t even think of that.