Moooove Like A Cow

Are you frustrated with your life? Are things not moving in the right direction for you? Perhaps this might help…

My granddaughter is fascinated with cows. Every time she comes to visit, a trip to the pasture is in order. Yesterday I drove two-year-old Layla in my Jeep to see her favorited bovines and stopped at a spot where I was sure she could see them from her car seat. I lowered the window. “See the cows, Layla?” I pointed toward the small herd.

Her eyes widened. “What cows doin,’ Grandma?"

“They’re eating grass. See them?”

“Cows walking.”

“Yes, they are walking,” I said, surprised that she had noticed something I hadn’t.

Huddled together, the cows chomped at the blades and then simultaneously moved forward toward the next nourishing mouthful. Chomp, step, chomp, step, chomp, step.

I thought about this curious rhythm and wondered, Is this the way God wants us to move?

“Move like a cow?” you may ask, “That doesn’t sound like something I wish to emulate.”

Bear with me. We need to eat, too.

Grazing

I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
—Deuteronomy 11:15 NIV

Rip. Chomp. Rip. Chomp. There’s a rhythm in their eating. Do they even take time to breathe?

From my front porch, I am mesmerized by the Black Angus cows grazing in the lush pasture just yards away.  The lush pasture extends right into my yard, separated only by an electrified barbed-wire fence.  The result of recent rain blessings, the grass in my yard is a foot tall. 

The lawn service was unable to come to my rescue last night, so I attempted to tackle the vegetation myself.  I dusted the seat of my mower, which had remained idle for months, checked for adequate fuel, and then successfully started the engine. But after just one lap around the side yard, the mower began to complain, groaning with utterances beyond understanding.  A quick glance over my shoulder told me my mower had quit the job.  I had only succeeded in riding over the grass, laying it down in my path but not cutting it.