‹ Back

Jul 22,  2021

 

It is one o’clock on a Monday afternoon and so far today the animals have been fed, their stalls have been cleaned, the corn stalks have been thinned out, the crops of the day have been harvested, the floors in the house have been swept and spot mopped, laundry is finished, the dishwasher is run, the trash and recycling have been taken to the dump, the vet has been contacted regarding a dehorning visit, pest control visit has been scheduled, the farrier is set to come out tomorrow, and there may be a few things I am forgetting as well as the fact that several drove occupants are off at work in order to pay the bills, and I have begun preparing a few things to head back to work in a week or so! I also know that on the docket for this afternoon is weed eating and taekwondo for Lucas and there may be some other things I am unaware of that have occurred or will occur. All the while there is an infant and a toddler being raised up and 8 adults with daily needs including dinner! Life is busy and full but also blessed.

 

Our newest addition to the drove is two bottle calves – Holsteins to be exact. They are currently 4 and 5 weeks old which means we are bottle feeding them twice a day. They are also now at the stage where we need to begin teaching them how to feed from a bucket and ultimately transition to grain and pasture. This is a process that will take a couple of months because they have to be weened over slowly to avoid developing scours – a potentially life-threatening condition. One of the first steps we will take is to introduce them to grain by placing a few pellets in their mouth after their bottles. We started that yesterday. Initially they feel it on their tongue and spit it out and then gradually begin chewing a few. We will continue to do this for a few weeks while also teaching them to go to the bucket for food. This will involve placing their milk in a bucket, placing a finger in their mouth to prompt them to suckle, and then leading their head down to the bucket. 

 

Interesting that just like human infants they must be slowly introduced to meatier and meatier foods in order that they will thrive while receiving proper nutrition. Once again, the Holy Spirit is teaching spiritual lessons through parallels drawn from drove living. Which, by the way, is exactly the type of ministry we believe He will grow here at the drove to reach young folks although we have yet to be given any more direct steps at this time. Funny how He often spends time preparing us by taking us through the process He intends for us to lead others through.

 

The bible uses references of milk and meat to speak to us about our need to grow in the Spirit and alludes to the fact that this is a learning process, much like that of the baby calves. Hebrews 5:13-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Interesting isn’t it that the latter part says that the mature have been trained by constant practice and that sometimes we need reminding or reteaching? I believe that is part of the process of sanctification. It also sort of goes hand in hand with what we talked about last week in regard to taking captive thoughts, these things require us to make daily choices and to train ourselves by walking in the way of righteousness. 

 

The book of Corinthians, chapter 3, discusses those who are not ready for solid food for they are still of the flesh. The reference here is regarding those who are squabbling over what we today might liken unto doctrinal or denominational differences. They are told that “while there is jealousy and strife among [them], [they] are of the flesh and behaving out of human nature (vs 1-3).” The chapter goes on further to discuss the fact that the building of God’s kingdom is a process that involves many laborers, some laying a foundation and others building upon it, but all being built upon the foundation of Jesus and “each one’s work will be manifest for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work that anyone has done (v 13).” Sounds a bit to me like you can’t fake it till you make it with God, he knows what is on the inside, despite what the outside may appear to be.

 

The common thread that really stands out to me in all of these things is the heart and intent. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that “Man sees and makes judgments based on the outward, but God sees the heart.” I don’t know about you, but for me that is reassuring; because one thing I know about myself is that even as I strive to train and maintain on meat, I often fall short – at least on the outward, but God knows my intent/heart. The reassurance here my friends is that despite our failings as humans God sees and knows those who are truly striving for depth, and even in times when that is tumultuous (inwardly or outwardly) we are being refined and taken to greener pastures. We just need to abide in Him by inviting He who created the process to be part of the process. I don’t know about you, but if I have times when I need to be hand fed (and I surely do); I want the hands of Jesus teaching me where to go for nutrients.

 

Until next time…. stand firm in your faith even when your legs are wobbly and remain in prayer for yourself as well as one another. 

 

~ Jen