Devotion 12

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Devotion 12

Beatrice and Me

We had a situation here. Beatrice was being difficult in spite of the fact that we were trying to help her. There's just no reasoning with a first-time mother! *

Jim had seen her the day before, hobbling along as though she was having trouble with her feet again. When he went to check on her later in the morning, she was nowhere to be found.

Our son-in-law Doug heard her bawling early the next morning. He found her on the opposite side of the creek on the other side of a barbed wire barb wire fence she had crashed. Her newborn was on our side of the fence. When Jim tried to get her back into familiar territory, she ran him off in a hurry! He called us with this tale of woe.

Later in the day we went to her aid. She was no more gracious to us. Here we were trying to maneuver in a hostile environment, harboring uneven ground, vines that attacked and wrapped themselves around us and — of course — the fence. "Bring some feed," Jim instructed. I complied.

"Over here!" he commanded. "Over there now!" "Not too close!' "Watch her!" "Look out!" I felt as if I were in the Marines as I turned to move forward with the feed bucket, which I had just dragged from under her nose.

My intention was to guide her closer to the creek. She was not amused. Suddenly I was rocking back and forth, fighting to keep my balance as my posterior felt the force of her head, butting me! "Dumb cow!" I thought. "That's gratitude for you!"

Eventually, we got her far enough forward that Jim could pull the fence back into place and encourage her across the creek. I retreated to nurse my hurt feelings! All I wanted to do was help her out of tough situation, but all that cow could think of was that bucket of food. She wasn't even trying to protect her calf!

How like me, I thought later as I settled gingerly into front seat of the car. How many times do I act like Beatrice when God is trying to nudge me here or there? All I can see are my plans and my way to accomplish them. However, in spite of all my carefully laid plans, He has a better way. I wonder how long it takes Him to lure me into the right position so I can receive the full benefit of His wisdom, will, and way? What verse do you think came to mind here? *

I thought about Enoch, too. I drove through heavy rain early one morning last week.** It was so hard to see. The headlights didn't help, and the fog swished in and out of view at will. "Where is that white line along the side of the road?" I wondered as I peered into the distance. I just couldn't keep my bearings. Then I changed my tactics and looked right in front of me, and there it was! The key wasn't to scan the horizon; I had to look close at hand. I had to forget everything else but that safe guide to my destination.

That's the key to the walk: sticking close to the Guide, watching for His signs, His little helps through the journey — one day at a time.

* Both of these incidents occurred this week in the course of my daily walk. No manufactured tale here to make up point! Isn't that amazing?

** "The steps of a good man/woman are ordered by the Lord: and he/she delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

For Further Consideration:

Proverbs 13:20

Isaiah 30:15-21

Isaiah 30:28-31

Romans 6

I have included one hymn on the subject of walking and/or fellowship with Christ. An interesting project is to check the index of your hymnal to see how many songs have been written on the subject and how encouraging to your heart hey can be.

Stepping in the Light

Trying to walk in the steps of the Saviour,

Trying to follow our Saviour and King;

Shaping our lives by His blessed example,

Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring.

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Saviour,

Stepping in the light, stepping in the light;

How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Saviour,

Led in paths of light.

Pressing more closely to Him who is leading,

When we are tempted to turn from the way;

Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us,