The mama cows had their babies all tucked between them as they began the scary walk across the hard pavement to greener grass.  The farmer instructed us just the way to help make the transition a success. 

And then before we knew it, the mamas actually began skipping as they saw the fresh grass ahead (cows skip? Yes, I saw it with my own eyes).

However,  the babies were a different story.

They began to take one step backwards as the rest moved ahead. The farmer knew what was best for them, but they refused to trust his leading. So before we knew it, there were 25 frightened calves who were hiding back on the old “already eaten” pasture while their mothers were safely grazing on our lush fertile field.

I was thinking today how this real life example relates to our lives. Sometimes we don’t know what is best for us- we think we know, but then things go a different way.

It’s been similar to watching the needs of my father-in-law. We think we know one minute and then it’s a different situation just a few hours later.  Over the past 5 days, there have been moments when he has a good therapy session and then another where he isn’t up for doing one.  And again, a little sunshine in his wheelchair on the front porch of  his transitional care facility- while he watched two of our boys have a “football” game, but then two days of not being able to go out.

All the while there are so many sweet blessings along the way amidst this difficult season, such as the therapists for him. They are absolutely incredible!   They are caring and helpful! 

Looking back, those baby calves had to be tricked, chased, and also gently prodded to go into the greener pasture.  It took several hours and it was quite dark by the time they made it over to their “greener pasture.”  What a lesson for us as a family as we don’t exactly know what is ahead, yet we can trust in our “farmer” to lead us into a place of trust as we take each day as it comes. And this reminds me of one of my favorite Psalms and maybe one of yours too which is found in Chapter 23.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1