”Lessons from the Barn” Advent Devotion for December 24, 2021

Lessons from the Barn

Written by Brenda Wingfield, Retired UM Clergy

Read by Marcia Flaherty

 

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

 –Psalm 25:4

For much of my life I have been involved with animals. I grew up on a dairy farm and spent a lot of time in the calf/heifer barn. I helped the little ones eat from a bucket and then from the manger. Since we also had a show ring, I helped the older calves and young heifers to become accustomed to a halter and lead strap.

As an adult, we had harness horses – those are the racehorses known as Standardbred and pull a sulky during races. My time was spent with the foals and mares. It was important that the foals learned to become used to feed boxes, halters and lead straps and being around humans – rather similar to calves.

Working with both cows and horses I learned some important facts: use a quiet, consistent voice and always touch them and praise them. Thinking about those facts I realize that is how God works with us. God sent us Jesus, who taught with great patience and touched physically and verbally, who corrected gently and praised extravagantly.

As we study and work with each other, we can use these “barn lessons”, too.  Although there are times we’d like to shout, we can remember to speak quieter. Currently we are not shaking hands or hugging, but we can fist-bump or air high-five. And we can offer words of encouragement as we greet others.

Gracious God, thank you for your patience as we strive to learn your paths as Jesus guides us. Amen.