Shannon and I have a beautiful, huge Tigerstripe heifer named Roo. That’s because her mother’s name is Tigger and Shannon was on a Winnie-the-Pooh kick.
A Tigerstripe cow is a cross between Herford and Brahman cows, which simply means it can have a very gentle or not so gentle disposition. Roo is extremely gentle.
Monday, I took Roo to the vet for her shots, horn removal, and branding. None of this is pleasant for the cow.
While I was not allowed into the vet’s barn because of Covid-19 restrictions, I could see Dr. Wright and his vet tech working on Roo. She was in a squeeze chute.
Once everything was done, they opened the squeeze chute to load Roo into the stock trailer. That’s when things didn’t go as planned.
Roo immediately ran down the center aisle of the barn, up the ramp, and into the trailer. Then she wheeled around and ran out of the trailer, down the ramp, and into the center aisle of the barn. For lack of a better term, she was fit to be tied and wanted to hurt someone. Dr. Wright and the vet tech had to run into a pen and pull the gate shut before Roo could get them. Then it happened a second time.
The third time Roo ran into the trailer, I quickly closed the door before she made another attempt to take out her anger on someone.
Needless to say, when I got back to our place, I quickly opened the gate on the stock trailer and hopped back into the truck before Roo could hurt me. This got me thinking.
The reason Roo was acting so out of character was because of the pain she experienced being branded and having her horns removed. She was truly hurting. I think the same thing is going on in our country.
Our minority communities are filled with hurt and pain because of the injustices they have endured. They are truly hurting. In response, some are acting out in ways they would normally never imagine.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do believe there are some who are using the current demonstrations for their own personal gain. They are a small but destructive minority. I believe the vast majority of protestors are well meaning people who are hurting and have had enough.
The same can be said for the police, who are some of the finest people God ever made. Sadly, a very small number of officers do not live up to the ideal to Serve, Honor, and Protect. These few bad apples have caused a tremendous amount of pain and injustice. Now our country suffers the consequences. There is a better way.
Paul said, “Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” (Philippians 2:4 CEB)
If each of us practiced Paul’s teaching; bigotry, hatred, and social injustice would not exist.
I think we should give it a try.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please use me to heal the hurt of this world. Fill my mind with your wisdom, my heart with your love, and my mouth with your words of peace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
There’s a lot of pain out there. It doesn’t have to be this way. It’s up to us to make a difference.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 