Lessons From the Barnyard

Walking the Fence Line

If you have ever released cows into a new pasture, the result is always the same - they munch on the new delicacies for awhile and then it begins - a steady march to explore the fence line. No matter how large the pasture, the cows set out to walk the boundaries of their enclosure and if a fence is down or there is a gap

you can be sure that is the first place they will discover! We humans are no different. Something about limits

hurts our pride - why can’t I go there? why can’t I do that?  However, like the good farmer, God has placed those boundaries for our protection, he knows what lurks beyond the fence line that will lead to our distress and destruction.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord god as he walked in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord god among the trees of the garden.  Genesis 3:8

This post is written by Audy Perry and Number #3 of Audy's Animal Anecdotes.
We are linking with Farm Friend Friday and look forward in reading all of the farm blogs!

Audy's Animal Anecdotes - The Thief Who Made Me Think

Audy Perry, the son of the founders of Heritage Farm wanted me to share his collection of short stories that began as simple observations of the daily doings on the farm, some tragic, though some not, but all have been written with the dear Lord in mind and lessons we can learn providing we are teachable.  The following is another of Audy's stories with just a wee bit of editing.

Just past midnight on one rainy Saturday, I was awakened by the panicked barking of our dogs. I opened the back door to find our soaking wet canines voicing extreme disapproval at a thief! This thief was not of the human kind but dressed in gray and black stripes with four legs, a tail and the traditional black mask.  A raccoon had invaded their feed bin causing this great disturbance.  Not wanting to get wet, I reached for an old baseball and threw it at the bandit and with uncharacteristic accuracy I manged to land the ball smack on its' side. Quite proud of myself, I thought for sure it would run away for good and I could return to my warm bed. This was not to be!   The raccoon proceeded to scale the corner of our home and scurry onto the roof!  The end result was a very scary attic meeting and a $100 repair bill.  I will say that the raccoon is no longer living at my house. However it donned on me,  I lost a night's sleep and a good bit of money over the defense of a forty-seven cent can of dog food! If I had just let the dogs in the garage, it would have been much easier, safer and less costly.

Many "battles" in our life are like that what I had experienced.  We go into situations thinking the only way to "win" is by defeating everyone who opposes us, and we expend massive amounts of time, energy and resources fighting battles that could be avoided altogether if we would just pause and look for alternative solutions that don’t escalate the situation.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then

peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,

impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a

harvest of righteousness. James 3:17,18

Way to go Audy! How the world would be a different place if each of us  would heed this lesson and put it on our to do list for 2011.  Happy New Year everyone, may your year be filled with much love, peace and prosperity!

Audy's Animal Anecdotes

Audy Perry, the son of the founders of Heritage Farm wanted me to share his collection of short stories that began as simple observations of the daily doings on the farm, some tragic, though some not, but all have been written with the dear Lord in mind and lessons we can learn providing we are teachable.  The following are Audy's words with a tiny bit of editing.

Animals have been an integral part of my life for almost four decades. Growing up on a farm just outside of Huntington, West Virginia, I always loved playing with the dogs, cats, ducks, cows and anything else we could find roaming the hills and splashing in the creeks. When our family farm became Heritage Farm Museum & Village, a farm petting zoo was a great opportunity for me to share my love of animals with children of all ages.

God could have created a world of just plants and humans to tell His story but I believe He provided the gift of animals to teach us about ourselves and our relationship to an almighty, yet loving God. This series will be about my favorite animal insights over the years. Take a look at God through a different set of eyes each day and along the way you may discover a “new you” as you learn about a “new ewe” - the one and only Lamb of God.

Part One...Have you ever purred in God’s lap? The cat is the only animal I know that has an auditory, physical response to contentment - the purr. It is gratifying not only to the feline but also the owner. The other morning I sat down in the zoo during feeding time and Charky (9 month old grey & white kitty I rescued from the pound) jumped up on my lap, got comfy and immediately began to purr - he was safe in the lap of his master. Like Charky - each day we have a choice, we can choose to chase sparkly objects or little pieces of string which is fun for awhile but soon become tiresome and pointless or we can choose to be content in the lap of our Master. What will you choose today?

Way to go Audy!  How timely this lesson is during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with so many of us trying to 'keep up' with all of our purchases and trying to please everyone around us.  Perhaps if we simplify we will be pleasing ourselves and our Lord and contentment with who we are and what we have will fulfill our lives.