Safe Pasture

The wind howls outside and I sleep late enjoying the rain on the roof.  Sensitive son in the next room is awaked by the sound of horse hooves on pavement.  He looks out the window in time to see our four mischievous horses running across the road.  This is the fourth, maybe fifth time they have escaped since Christmas.

I pull of rubber farm boots and rush out the door not even considering the fact that I am still in pajamas.  I manage to get out the door in time to direct the pony back up the drive to our pasture.  The other three animals follow his lead.  Neighbor, who takes her dogs our at this time of the morning, catches me with her words, “Looks like someone has learned how to open the gate.”

Sensitive son and I run after horses pushing them up to the pasture.  I am frustrated and weary trying to keep these animals penned safely where they belong.  I double chain the gate and put a log where hopefully they cannot push the gate open.  I don’t want an accident to occur because these animals are roaming from their pasture.

With horses penned in, I hope, we feed animals and then head back to the house.  As I sit with my Bible and coffee I think about neighbor’s comment, “Looks like someone has learned how to open the gate.”  I think about temptation, how the flesh desires or the enemy seeks to open the gate and draw me away from the safety of the Father’s pasture.  The more I yield the easier it becomes to open the gate, wandering away from the safety of the Father’s field.

Father God, he patiently, lovingly, comes looking for me.  His kindness leads me to repentance as He leads me back to safe pasture.  He leads me to obey His commands in order to create a safe pasture.

Trust in the LORD and do good;
   dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4