As a teacher, one of my objectives
in my own classroom is to ensure that I take advantage of “teachable moments”
as they arise in my classroom. To be fair, I try to take on the same thought
process in my own life. I find it peculiar how God chooses to speak to me some
days and yesterday was one of those days.
Living in Montana has been an interesting change for my
life. Although I grew up in what I would consider a rural area I have come
realize that Montana is much more rural than anywhere I have ever lived. On top
of that, I have learned that I have fully adjusted to living in a more urban
area over the past few years of my life. Even so, God has chosen this rural way of life to teach me a lot about my
life, my desires, and Him.
Yesterday I was at a neighbors
ranch while they were administering pregnancy tests on a couple hundred cows.
They had informed me this activity should be a part of my “Montana experience.”
I was by no means certain this should be a part of any “experience.” But, I
followed along. As I sat there watching each cow being herded down a narrow chute, into a contraption (I
have no clue what that device is called.) that would hold them in place while
the veterinarian had the not so pleasant job of seeing if each female cow is
currently carrying a baby, my mind drifted off to other places. As the cows are
herded through the narrow chute they are slightly perturbed. At the end of the
chute is the contraption that they must stand enclosed in while the vet checks
to see if they are pregnant, a couple of vaccines are given, and information is
noted on each individual cow. When they reach this contraption, just beyond one
end they can see freedom. Each cow tries to run through this contraption, while
the vet quickly closes the gate and traps the cow within it to check her out.
Astonishingly enough I found this
to be a lot like our Christian walk. There are times when we have come through
a narrow tunnel in life, a challenging place, one where we are poked and
prodded, then we see the light at the end of the tunnel and want to run! Run
for freedom, run to escape the challenges we have been facing, just run! Then,
a door slams, right in front of our face, trapping us inside. Or so we think.
However, I believe, it is then, in that little tiny amount of time, where God
closes a door, before allowing us to see the light at the end of the tunnel,
where He is saying, not yet. Not just yet, you aren’t ready, you haven’t
learned your lesson, you are going to miss the point, something, just not yet.
If we rush through those moments or phases, simply focused on what’s at the
other end of that tunnel, we can miss an important lesson. A lesson that God
fully intended us to learn through all of that poking and prodding we faced
along that narrow chute. Sometimes we are too busy worrying about what’s on the
other side, who is going first, or what is behind us (and cows are too) to
stop, learn our lesson, and then keep going. When we make it through that
challenge, it is then that God can reveal to us the light at the end of the
tunnel. The sun we are now not only seeing, but appreciating, following our
challenge.
Yesterday was certainly a step
outside of my normal, but one in where I did not want to miss what God intended
for me to learn. So, as I face challenging situations and circumstances I will
simply realize that maybe the light isn’t for me yet, maybe it’s just a
reminder to stop and listen to the poking and prodding so I can enjoy the light
when I get there.
I
also called my mom last night to inform her of another first I’d had
yesterday. That first would be, cow manure on my clothing. I don’t suggest it;
it’s not too lovely. J
Be Blessed!
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