Recently, life dealt us a bit of a blow. We have waited with great expectation for our “Jersey Girl” to calve. It didn’t turn out anything like we would have planned. We are struggling with this one. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of a few things, on the good days and on the bad days too.
***Some photos may contain sensitive/graphic content***
Our Jersey was due to calve around Christmas. We watched and waited and checked on her several times a day. She was even moved to a special place in the barn for the Christmas cold, just in case. Christmas came and went with no calf. Due dates are just dates and calves can come early or late, so we waited.
After a week late, we were a little uneasy but she seemed ok so we continued to wait and watch. When she approached 1 1/2 weeks late, we began to make a plan for possible induction, but things changed for the worse.
Jersey girl got down and couldn’t get up. We were able to medicate for possible nutritional deficits, something that dairy cattle are known for prior to calving. We even got her up using the tractor. Lifting cattle with hip tongs is a process but it worked! This is a process of using a tool that fits around the cows hip bones and then is raised with a tractor, “lifting” the animal to standing. It’s tough, but usually works.
We became very hopeful. She walked the pasture that afternoon and drank water and looked a little better. But it was short lived. She went back down that night and we were unable to get her to stand the next morning and stay standing.
We began the effort to help her as best we could. In the process it was determined that the calf was not alive. It was an all out effort to pull the calf and save the cow. After several hours of work and struggling, we lost both the cow and the calf.
Prayers were prayed. Everyone was tired, disappointed and somewhat distraught. How could this happen? We had wanted a jersey for some time and saw her arrival as a true answer to prayer. (Read here) We did all the right things, and prayed all the right prayers and it didn’t turn out like we planned.
But He’s still God.
Want real honesty? Days like this make you want to get out of the cattle business! Days and seasons like this cause you to question everything and want to quit, no matter what it is. Some days, you question the plan and even Him. On the good days and on the bad days too, He is still God. Whether He answered how we thought or not, we will continue.
In everything.
This has been a theme running through life lately and we have seen it and heard it a lot. Will you still serve Him when it’s hard? Will you continue when He doesn’t answer like you wanted? Can you love and trust Him in everything?
Hard lessons come with loss. No matter what the loss is, whether it be an animal, business loss, a friendship or a family member, in everything we give thanks and trust His will. In the good days and in the bad days, He is still in control and we must trust His plan.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5
If you are struggling today with loss, no matter how big or small, God is in control. Lean on and look to Him, in everything. Good days or bad days, we can trust Him and He alone can protect and comfort our hearts. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Thank you Heather for your thoughtful insight on the importance of continued praising of our God both in good times but even more so in the sad and sorrowful times.
The loss of a loved one is always a sad time for us left behind, however, we have to remember that our loved one is actually now experiencing a glorious and everlasting experience in the loving arms of our Father in Heaven !