The author of this story is unknown, but it is such a beautiful story that I just wanted to share it with you.
I sat at the windmill and waited. A tiny newborn baby calf lay in the high grass and no mother cow was in sight. Circling some hundred yards or so to the south three coyotes walked together. They sure wished I would move. The calf wouldn't move unless they flushed it and I gave them no opportunity to do so.
My dogs so wanted out of the truck but the last thing I wanted was for the dogs to flush the calf. My daughter had ridden off horseback into the brush in search of the young cow. Usually baby calves are left with what I call "baby sitter" cows but not one cow stood in sight of the windmill.
The coyotes were trying to decide just how brave they were. A new born calf would feed all three of them for a couple of days. I had jacked a shell into the chamber of the .222 rifle and laid it on the window sill of the pickup truck. I hated shooting anything but for the moment I was the only chance the newborn had. When you depend on a calf crop each year to put money in the bank the coyotes were on the losing end.
Suddenly movement caught my eye. It also shifted the coyotes' focus from the calf. Out of the mesquite and heavy brush walked the young cow. She tested the wind and shook her head warily. The coyotes stood frozen waiting to see how the cards might play out.
Watching the events unfold before me I thought how God must feel as he observes how things play out in our lives. I could easily move in some form or fashion and throw favor toward the coyotes or, on the other hand, do something that would help the cow protect her calf. I could do nothing at all and let the chips fall where they would.
Things happen in our lives that circumstances and situations dictate. One minute late, one minute early, one wrong turn, one flat tire, kids late or early to school, a certain day off work, the alarm doesn't go off, a baby sitter is late or doesn't show up and so on and on goes the list of variables that can rework our lives; sometimes changes that will forever alter who we are and who we will become.
There is one truth. God loves us beyond comprehension. He may not lift a hand to modify some incident but the more important thing is he is always watching and always knows how things will develop. God never promises us an easy ride but he always promises a safe secure landing.
When the baby calf smelled his mom he stood up in the tall grass. It confirmed what the coyotes already knew. The cow let out a quiet, low, "Mmmmm" and the calf trotted over to her. The young mother nuzzled its face and then shook her head as if to say, "This is my baby so leave him alone."
The coyotes hit a trot and headed toward the cow. She again shook her head but this time she pawed in the dirt. The calf moved to her milk stretched bag and began to nurse. The coyotes stopped and quickly reevaluated the situation. I still had my gun on the window sill. Surely they wouldn't try to get the calf with the cow being such a risk.
Suddenly my dogs could stand it no longer. They both bailed out and off the pickup bed and headed for the coyotes. The dogs suddenly became the great equalizer. One coyote tucked his tail and hit a run. The other two bowed up to fight. The cow quickly turned, hit a trot and led her newborn into the deep heavy brush.
When the dogs breasted the coyotes there was no fight. One coyote went spiraling into a yucca bush. The other one stood bowed up but wasn't sure he wanted to take on both dogs. He decided to tuck his tail and run. It all happened in less than a couple of minutes.
Circumstances had changed the fate of the newborn calf. Sometimes circumstances dictate things in our lives. Many times they may or may not be something we can control. I'm a firm believer in "things happening for a reason." Sometimes they are reasons we never understand. That is why our faith in Jesus is so important. Things are going to happen to us. God always loves us and always knows how things will play out.
I love the scripture, " I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121: 1-2). Faith believes in something we cannot see. That is what we hold on to when things happen in our lives.
The newborn calf lying in the tall grass never doubted for a minute his mom would return to protect him. He wasn't worried about the coyotes or me or my dogs or the fact he was very alone. He was doing what his mom had instinctively told him to do. Even with the threats so close he never doubted he would be safe.
Threats may surround us. Danger may be prevalent but God is our ever present help. We will be safe despite the situations and circumstances in our lives. It all has something to do with believing God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do.
Be Blessed This Day! (( hugs until next time ))
