March 10, 2020

There is no question that I love Shannon. That doesn’t mean there aren’t times when she doesn’t make me nuts. She does. Last week was a good example.

Just as I was beginning the staff meeting, Shannon called and said that our neighbor’s cow was in distress and needed help birthing her first calf. This was not good news because our neighbor, who is as good as gold, had never pulled a calf.

Realizing I couldn’t get there, I called Dee. He told me he was 45 minutes away but would be there as fast as he could. He told me to have Shannon and our neighbor put the cow in a pen and he’d pull the calf.

Knowing that strange cows can be very unpredictable and that another neighbor had been sent to the hospital by one of his new mothers, I told Shannon to pen the cow and wait for Dee. I was very clear that I did not want her to try and pull the calf of a strange cow that may try to hurt her. I ended the conversation content that Shannon would follow my instructions.

Later Dee called and said, “Your wife never listens.” I said, “I know. What are we talking about?” Then Dee explained that Shannon had called and said there was no reason for him to drive to our neighbor’s because they had just pulled the calf. That’s when I realized what had happened.

Shannon had exposed herself to harm. She had heard what I had said but, in order to save the calf, she had decided to ignore my pleas for her safety. This made me crazy.

Do you ever think that you make God crazy? I know I do.

There are times when I know exactly what God wants me to do. And yet, even though I hear, I do my own thing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But I am sure that God gets very frustrated when I go my own way.

God has a plan for your life. As you see it unfold and know what God wants, do it. It is by far the best way to live.

In explaining what it means to lead a truly blessed life, Jesus says to each of us: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, open my ears that I may truly hear, open my eyes that I may truly see, and open my mind that I may truly understand. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Just know that God’s plans are always best.

For the record, I am married to a very hard-headed, independent woman. Pray for me.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins