This Winter Break I got to help a local farmer who was, after several years, finally getting out with his wife to see family over the Holidays! So it was my responsibility to take care of the livestock while he and his wife were gone!
He runs what amounts to a small homestead so, he had cattle, chickens, dogs, cats, and then sheep. Now, I know my way around cattle, chickens, and definitely dogs and cats; but sheep were going to be a new adventure and I was going to be helping in the midst of lambing season which made me ultra nervous (not going to lie here, I didn’t want anything going wrong while they were gone)!
Of course the first few days were nice and calm…then a cold front came through and things got interesting! When I came up that morning and was doing animal checks to find a ewe and her new lambs behind the bale I had a little freak out moment! I called the owner and asked the obvious question, how do I get this ewe to come into the barn with me and the babies?
I won’t forget what he shared, “Don’t worry Anthony, these moms’ are smart, just grab the babies and she will follow you into the barn. Its actually quite amazing!” Hung up the phone confirmed the straw was laid out in the new pen and the gate was open and I did just as he shared. I took the two lambs belting out for their mom and she followed me into the barn and into their new pen; and she was quick to work on cleaning her new little babies!
It really was amazing! I found myself standing there in awe for at least twenty minutes considering how special this all was; witnessing the birth of new life and the immediate instinct of care to nurture and help! At the end of chores I shared a few pictures with a friend and she immediately responded below with possibly some of the most insightful and profound thoughts as I pondered further the beauty of it all:
“How does God make such wonderful creation that we get to witness. Dude if I was carrying that lamb I would’ve burst out bawling, ‘It’s the first time it has seen the sky, it’s the first time it has touched grass, it’s the first time inside the world!!!'”
It really humbles EVERYTHING, when we truly pause and consider the gravity of what happened! It is a beauty that is INDESCRIBABLE! My friend NAILED it; how often do we pause to fully experience and appreciate the beauty of what we get to be a part of! I have not yet had the opportunity to hold a baby that is of my own flesh, but I’ve heard others comment that it changes you and changes your perspective of the world!
We are blessed beyond measure to be stewards of this precious Earth and all that it contains! We cannot for a moment take that for granted! As we prepare serving in the midst of this week, let us be diligent in pausing and lifting praise for all the gifts and beauty that often we cannot put into words that come from our Lord, God!
Take care my dear friends and thanks for reading! 🙂
Perennial Educator 