I'm helping some friends care for their various animals while they are out of town. They have dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and goats. One goat, Tilly was due to deliver her kids on October 1, before they left; but apparently baby goats are just as hard to predict as human babies, and Tilly was still quite preganant as of October 6.
When I arrived for this morning's feedings (10/7) my co-farmworker, Stacy and I saw that Tilly had delivered two kids sometime during the night and was in the process of delivering a third. It was an amazing experience to witness the birth of this tiny being, and though goats have been delivering kids for many millenia, for me I felt as if I was witnessing a miracle. While delivering kid #3 she was simultaneously cleaning #2 while #1 was trying to nurse. No one ever taught these animals how to give birth, clean or nurse. They knew instinctively what they wanted and needed to do. It was built in to how they were created. While only humans were made in the image of God, that doesn't mean we can't grow to know Him more through bits of His creation.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
There is much to be learned about God by "touching grass"; by spending time with and reflecting on His creation. Just as one can gain insight in to the minds of daVinci and Hemingway by pondering their works, we can get to know more of who God is by spending time with His creation.
I was born and raised in the inner city, but I am not so much a city girl as to not know that bacon comes from pigs, hamburger comes from cows, and the chicken I like so much comes from...well, chickens. I've visited farms and petting zoos, listened to farming friends talk about their animals. However, this was the first time I've ever cared for and interacted with farm animals to this extent.
As I've thought about the farm work I've been doing this week I realized this was a taste of what Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden, and a bit of what life will be like on the New Earth. I've often thought about what work I will do on the New Earth once Jesus returns. There won't be any need for healthcare so my occupation procuring medical supplies will not be needed. So what career options will I have? I've always figured I'd work with dogs and cats; maybe work in the kitchen baking bread or pies. After this week, my options have expanded and I think I'd like to work with goats. In the process I will know even better that God is the One and only G.O.A.T.
Kid #1 I named Sunshine because I've been singing to Mama Tilly "You Are My Sunshine"
This is Kid #2 - "Skunk" named for his coloring and in keeping with the music theme, named after Guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter who played with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.
Kid #3 I named "Sloopy" for the song "Hang on Sloopy"
