“Grab her!” my mother yelled as I rounded the corner of the barn. Lucille, one of my mother’s Jersey cows was tossing her head and trying to push past three other cows to be the first to get into the barn. Mom leaped aside avoiding the stomping hooves and holding onto Pet’s halter for all she was worth. I jumped to grab Lucille’s halter and pulled with all my might to turn her away from the barn door. She needed to be the last cow in the barn so that she could give her new calf a drink. But Lucille was used to going into the barn first for the grain “treat” that would be awaiting her and was exhibiting her displeasure by trying to push Pet aside which was sending the rest of Mom’s small herd of seven cows into a mini stampede!
I learned a lot about cows growing up. Cows, as it turns out, are interesting creatures. While very curious and somewhat cantankerous, they are very routine animals. All of the cows know the routine; everybody has a stall to go into, in a very particular order, and if the routine is altered in any way, chaos will rule the day until the new routine has been established. Change does not come easily for cows.
Recently I have recognized that same bovine tendency in myself. Change does not come easily to me and I have been experiencing a season of changes; changes in relationships, changes within my church family, and even within my immediate family there have been some major changes. Some changes have been painful, others positive, and still others just dreadfully sad. I have felt my emotions fluctuating wildly depending on the events of any given day. Just as a herd of cows reacts to changes in their routines when they enter the barn, I am similarly affected when the routine relationships of my life are changed.
I think that is why knowing the truth of Hebrews 13:8, that “… Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” has always been so precious to me. While changes are inevitable and seasons of change can be disconcerting, knowing that Jesus is constant, immutable, and unruffled by change is reassuring. My Savior knows the beginning from the end of everything that I am experiencing and none of it is unknown to Him. That fact gives me peace in spite of changing circumstances and relationships. How I praise God for His sovereignty through this changing season that feels chaotic to me! Now if I would just stop trying to push my way into the barn!!
It is hard to accept change sometimes. We learn how to live one way, and then oops soemthing changes and we don't want to change - kids make us more resilient, and friends and family are our support systems. Soy helps too!
ReplyDeleteNan
Hi Gayle! Great post! Love your new blog design!
ReplyDeleteHow I wish change could be simple and pleasant. Like the feeling of sliding on a new pair of jeans that fit just right. But change is not as simple as swaping out an outfit.
ReplyDeleteBecome a New Creation requires the hard work of taking off the old rags, imagine trying to remove a grament that you have worn for years, nearly part of your flesh now. Removing it is required to now wear your new garment. The one bestowed on you by Jesus. Putting His robe of righteousness over your filthy rags will just never work. It would be illfitting at best, and destoyed at it's worst. Destroyed by the stench of our self.
Change, removal of self, removal of all habits and they're ways is worth the work, as we stand before Him, covered in His righteousness looking as beautiful as a bride.