We could barely see our neighbours’ place across the street. It reminded me of the many severe blizzards we experienced on the farm in my childhood, some lasting 3-5 days. One such blizzard occurred about 65 years ago when I was just a teenager. It was late October; we thought it would be an open fall. The day was warm & our cattle were out in our neighbours’ pasture about a mile from home. We had purchased a registered Hereford cow from our neighbour that we called Mabel. She was expecting a late calf. We were not concerned even though she was overdue, as it was a warm day. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the weather changed, storm clouds appeared & it suddenly started to snow with huge fluffy flakes. Dad sent us boys to bring the cattle home. It was really snowing and blowing when we arrived at the willows & shrubs in the pasture. When we rounded up the herd, it was obvious that Mabel already had her calf, but it was nowhere in sight. We searched the 10 acres of tall grass, weeds & willows to no avail. My brother Leonard rode through the rushes on horseback with no luck. We started the herd for home, and Mabel came along with no problem. When the cattle were all safe in the corral, we went back again for another look, again with no luck. That night the blizzard really hit. We gave up the calf for dead to either the cold or the coyotes. The blizzard raged all night & all the next day. On the third day, it abated & the sun came out. When we opened the corral gate to let the cattle go to water, Mabel took off over the fields to the pasture. We followed on foot through knee-deep snow right back to the willows. About 20 ft. from the first bluff, she stopped & called three times. To our amazement, the grass and the willows started shaking & out came her now three-day-old calf, as healthy as could be. Apparently, it had received its first meal three days earlier & had survived the blizzard. We called it” Stormy” & took turns carrying it home with Mabel about three feet behind us. To say the least, we were very grateful. This story of Mabel & her baby has a message for us. Mabel knew where her baby was, returned to find it, and brought it home. This is also the case with God’s Good Shepherd, who came to rescue us from the blizzards of life and bring us home. God made us, loves us & cares for us. We are important to Him-so much so that He even knows the number of the hairs on our heads.
There is absolutely no place on this planet where we can stray, hide, or be lost where He cannot find us. The Good Shepherd is always seeking & calling for us. In the storms of life with blizzard-like conditions, He hears our cries like Mabel’s calf heard her call. Listen for His voice and respond to His call, anytime, anyplace or situation. Safety lies in His loving arms!
- Dennis Kresier, Layperson, Last Mountain Anglican Parish
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Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer.
