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Thank You, Father, for the goats.     

Yes, goats!

I had just learned a couple days previous that my sister had pancreatic cancer. I was with her when they told her. We then learned that it was inoperable. I was devastated, somewhat in a state of shock, believing for healing and encouraging her when with her, but struggling in my own thoughts and fears when alone.

In my house I was useless; I simply sat and stared off into nothingness. I needed to get outside so I took a walk down my street. It was a beautiful cool autumn day, but it didn’t feel good. I felt numb, nothing, lost, empty. No scriptures were coming to mind. I didn’t even seem to know how to pray or to even talk about it. At the end of the road I turned to walk back to my house and suddenly all the emotion burst out in deep guttural sobs. As the tears poured, I suddenly saw two very large goats jump out into the road. They were leaping and romping, I guess you call it. I had never watched goats run before, but these guys were hysterical. They simply jumped straight up in the air as they ran, kind of like awkward hopping, with very stiff legs. I couldn’t help it; I began to laugh out loud. I actually couldn’t stop laughing.

As I got closer to them, they both walked up to me. These guys were so big they were almost staring me in the eye. I wanted to pet them, but I was concerned that a goat might try to eat my coat so I just kind of waved at them and gently told them to go on home (wherever that was).  One was the leader and the other followed everything he did. They turned to go and then after a few steps turned back to return. Everything they did made me laugh, but now they seemed to be going home with me, following me down the road to my house. I really didn’t want to take these goats home, so I walked back with them to the area they had come from and kept trying to shoo them, to no avail. Fortunately, a car came down the road and they turned and ran toward some stables behind our street.

I have never seen these goats before or since in all the years we have lived out here. I have seen plenty of cows, horses, dogs, cats, and a donkey, but never goats. I will always believe that these goats were sent by the Lord, to cheer me up and break me out of my despair. They did. Suddenly things didn’t appear so dark. I began to voice scripture and to express my heart to the Lord.

So, yes. Thank You, Lord, for the goats.

In His care, Bebe

Nancy went home to be with the Lord one year later. I miss her terribly, but I am so grateful for the years of friendship preceding, and the year of care and sweet memories we had together during her last year.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13 NIV