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Run-away Boy Meets Run-away Goats

It's amazing how God works sometimes when you surrender to him, rather then trying to control the situation yourself.


My young son was struggling to focus on homeschool this morning.  An emotional outburst was brewing, but I was determined that it would not be on my part.  Instead I was quietly praying, continually realigning my emotions with God.  If God be with me, who can be against me?  I called my son to prayer repeatedly, but he was resisting.  It didn't look like anything was going to resolve easily this morning.  Sure enough, it didn't take long.  He got frustrated, jumped up, and ran out the door.

Should I follow him?  Chase him down?  Make him come back?  Force him to put that pencil back on the paper and form words?

No.  I should pray.  And pray I did.  Lord, cover my son.  Call to his conscience.  Bring him back on his own please.  Diffuse the battle, if possible.  Nevertheless, not my will, but God's be done.

I calmly got up and moved out the door to see what was happening.  I spotted him outside and thought maybe we'd need a brisk walk before we headed back in.  Instead, God had worked out something different.  Effective.  Amazing.

Out at the road was a county sheriff, trying to herd two beautiful goats out of the road.  It seems everyone at home was converging on the same spot, even grandma and grandpa.  Apparently the goats had escaped from some neighbor's home and were out for an adventure.  I wondered what the sheriff was going to do with them.  Turns out, the sheriff was wondering the same thing.  Young son was drawn and started helping.  The goats turned right into our driveway.  Which is right by our chicken pen.  The chickens were out for the day, so into the pen went the goats.  Well, almost straight in, we had to lure them in with a little grain.  Now they are out there waiting for their owners to get home from work and realize that they have missing animals.  They were beautiful, well-cared for goats.


My son was so happy that he had goats at his house, even if for a little while, that he went straight back to his schoolwork, once they were settled in, without me telling him.  And in just over an hour he was finished.


It is amazing what happens to a run-away boy when he meets run-away goats.  Thanks to God for using it all for good.

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  1. HeidiOctober 11, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    How delightful! Fresh air and prayer are both great tools for adults who would rather not do school work, too (like me). Thanks for reminding me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. La Tea DahOctober 21, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    A little fresh air and a dose of wholesome adventure always helps a boy with his schoolwork! What a sweet son you have!

    My sons had a miniature goat that went on his own adventure. He was very small and seemed to be able to escape any fence we penned him into. One time we searched for days and finally a neighbor found him and locked him in his large, old storage shed. It was a continued adventure to try to capture him and bring him home!

    Those are beautiful goats!

    ReplyDelete

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