Good morning sweet friend. Grab a cup of coffee or a drink of your choice and let’s visit for a minute. I want to share something that will encourage your heart today!
I was driving to church on Sunday and noticed a cow with her neck completely stretched through a barbed wire fence trying to eat grass that was on the other side of the fence. God immediately spoke to me saying, “Dear child of mine, is that you?”, and I was like, “What? Me?”. I was confused and didn’t even understand the question so, I began thinking, pondering, and asking God what He meant. Suddenly, I got it, and maybe just maybe this word is for you too?
Have you ever had a time in your life when you thought, “If I could only ____________, life would be so much easier and so much better?” That blank means different things for each of us, but the feeling is still the same.
This cow was so determined that there was better food on the other side of the fence that she was willing to cut herself with the barbed wire and even stretch so far to the point of pulling something in her neck. The possible consequenses of her choice didn’t even matter in that moment. All she could see was that little patch of green grass a few feet in front of her, and it looked better to her. What this cow didn’t know was that the pasture she was trying to get into definitely had some green grass in it, but overall, it was just as dry as pasture she was already safely in. What this cow also didn’t know is that in due time and with the labor and care that her owner or rancher would provide, this pasture would be so full of green grass that she would be able to eat for days and still have more than enough. See, this cow doesn’t fully trust her master and wants to do things her own way.
I know at times I am guilty of acting just like this cow. At times, I have chosen to take what seems to be an easier road, but let me just say this, in the long run it isn’t usually an easier walk at all. Does this stir something inside of you? Are you squirming because you can relate? If so, stay with me because, here is the best part of the story!!!!
It’s OKAY. God loves you just as much as ever, and in fact He promises that if you trust Him and allow him to be your master, then your pasture will produce an abundant amount of blessings that will flow from you and even into other pastures around you.
This doesn’t mean that your pasture won’t have weeds or even look dead at times. We live in a fallen world, and we are still a work in progress. Consider Paul in scripture. He faced a huge spectrum of hardship and blessing, but I love his encouragement for how to be content in every season:
Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13
Today….whatever you are facing….Don’t give up! Don’t jump the fence looking for greener pastures!
Here is another awesome truth, during the times you lack strength and courage and even fear guess what…God is right here with you! He will never leave or forsake you. In Matthew, Jesus says,
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
My prayer for you today is that you enjoy life right where you are, whatever season you are in. I pray that you are truly able to see the beauty of every situation staring you in the face and that you trust God in the process. His timing is never early nor late, but is always perfect! Good things are coming your way dear friend as you cling to and follow Him!
Until our next cup of coffee….