"There is something about being compelled to bundle up against a cold night. Overalls, wool socks, insulated hoodie then parka. Two brown eyed doggies blinking and stretching, eagerly waiting for the door to open. I'm marching out into the darkness with flashlight as my only weapon. The eerie yipping and howling of coyotes not far off sends a shiver down the spine. My dogs are chasing them away. This is the moment I always wonder if I should start carrying the trusty .22 at night.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch, splash! At each step my boots crash through icy snow and puddles. Nothing like stealing along quietly in the moonlight - no, nothing like that at all!
A shadow rising from the snow like a monster turns out to be only the furry cat in search of a midnight snack. Silly kitty! You scared me! Sigh, smile, and walk on.
What could be more unromantic than stumbling amongst frozen cow poop throwing my flashlight beam here and there, carefully checking solemn black furry faces and each tail end. Calves are counted, checked, each one is content.
A brilliantly starry sky catches the corner of my eye.
This important mission, inspecting the bovine nursery ward, is the only thing between me and the delicious comfort of happy dreamland in my cozy warm bed.
There are grumbling mumbles and shuffling of heavily pregnant cows, nestling into thick straw bedding. There is soft mooing of momma cow to the newborn calves.
But in an instant, none of that matters anymore.
My gaze is irresistibly drawn to the amazing array of lights dancing above in the blackness. "The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament shows His handiwork".
As if the universe has paused for a moment.
As if time stood still, for just this moment.
My soul is quiet, in awe of my Creator.
And I find myself hiking cheerfully for the house once again. Crunch, crunch, splash, crunch. All is well in the barnyard. And in the universe. I may not know what tomorrow holds. But I know Who holds tomorrow.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch, splash! At each step my boots crash through icy snow and puddles. Nothing like stealing along quietly in the moonlight - no, nothing like that at all!
A shadow rising from the snow like a monster turns out to be only the furry cat in search of a midnight snack. Silly kitty! You scared me! Sigh, smile, and walk on.
What could be more unromantic than stumbling amongst frozen cow poop throwing my flashlight beam here and there, carefully checking solemn black furry faces and each tail end. Calves are counted, checked, each one is content.
A brilliantly starry sky catches the corner of my eye.
This important mission, inspecting the bovine nursery ward, is the only thing between me and the delicious comfort of happy dreamland in my cozy warm bed.
There are grumbling mumbles and shuffling of heavily pregnant cows, nestling into thick straw bedding. There is soft mooing of momma cow to the newborn calves.
But in an instant, none of that matters anymore.
My gaze is irresistibly drawn to the amazing array of lights dancing above in the blackness. "The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament shows His handiwork".
As if the universe has paused for a moment.
As if time stood still, for just this moment.
My soul is quiet, in awe of my Creator.
And I find myself hiking cheerfully for the house once again. Crunch, crunch, splash, crunch. All is well in the barnyard. And in the universe. I may not know what tomorrow holds. But I know Who holds tomorrow.