Not only do I blog every day, but I also write in my journal the highlights of each day -- the "God" encounters, the strange, the off-kilter, the wacky, and the wild adventures. Truly I amuse myself. Believe me, I have plenty to write about -- even outside of my normal routine. A couple of weeks ago I volunteered at the "Roar" VBS which spotlighted the wild exploits of jungle animals and in our Faith Station where I was a co-leader, we taught about the wild adventures that took place in the Bible.
Those Bible adventures carry on in the wild adventures I take on when I take care of my family's critters: 8 hens; 2 ducks, a huge longhorn, 8 goats, 3 donkeys, a dog and a cat, plus the wildlife (note the wild turkeys that showed up a couple of days ago) AND all the varmints that lurk in the dark at night.
I read my journal for this date a year ago and I was here, like this time, while the family was on their summer vacation. Oh my! Here's an excerpt: "OMG -- again! I went to check on the chickens and get in the eggs, and lo and behold, two hens were outside the pen. Blistering hot outside and they were running from me. Finally, one flew to the top of the wall and I chased her back into the pen and the other, I finally lasted longer than she did and caught her. Thank you, Lord, for strength in this day!" Here I am one year later saying "Bring it on, girls and boys!" Now we know that those hen girls regularly fly out of the pen for a little adventure of their own, but they fly back in. Now we give them a little leeway and they always come home where they belong. There's just no place like home!
Sometimes it’s a good thing to explore and experience some out-of-the-box times that produce growth, some new muscle, new insight, and a fresh new perspective. When I take on the care of these animals, it is definitely out of my comfort zone. Last year, I knew those animals sensed my trepidation. The goats and donkeys took advantage of me, the novice farm-hand, by overpowering my obvious inexperience. And then some of the chickens escaped under the fence and I was chasing them -- pardon the pun -- like a chicken with her head cut off. And if you didn’t know, chickens are fast. I’m sure you would have been greatly entertained if you had seen me. I finally cornered them and took them home, and then commenced to haul over rocks to the fence to cover the just-big-enough-to-escape holes. This time it’s easy-peasy. Note my relaxing morning devotion location and sweet Bentley, their Havanese dog who is my side-kick!
I am so pleased to report that my mentality changed from “out-of-sync” to “I’ll show you who's boss” this year! It’s smooth, calm and in-sync here at Old Mac-Donna’s farm. In fact, I think I’ve conquered any fears or concerns. The bigger animals respect me when I come out with their feed bowls. Now, I have a well-thought-out plan that calmly separates them, respectfully, at meal-time. They love it when I scratch their heads and backs. The ducks and chickens are behaving like well-behaved critters (instead of “gangsters” like I called those who escaped their pen last year), and those mama hens are producing a lot of eggs for me – so yummy! There’s nothing like fresh eggs.
I am so blessed to have a “King David” moment (1 Samuel 30:6) when he encouraged himself. I encourage myself by God's words about “taking dominion” in Genesis 1:28. “And God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” I muster up that dominion attitude with wisdom and strength and an empowered mindset. I take matters into my hands that are empowered by God's strong and mighty hands and even celebrate His marvelous creation – His critters and His masterfully designed scenic view! Life is good because God is good. All the time.
