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Pastor Thurber
NVAG Blog.
"The Lost Heifer"
There was this great big ranch out on the prairie. Thousands of acres, with woods around it. Much wild and rugged country. Now the Big Owner oversaw the larger picture, and made sure everything was going alright. His only Son however, oversaw the day to day operations.
He would head up the round ups, take care of all the branding that was needed, as well as the enlargement of the herd. He also insured the health of the cattle. What made this ranch unique, were two differences from all other ranches.
#1- No fences without open gates. You stayed at the corral only if you wanted to. You ate in the well manicured pastures only if you wanted to. However, security was provided only on ranch property.
#2- This ranch did not slaughter their cattle. Their only aim was to have as many cattle as possible. When their cattle died, they used the experience to keep the others healthy.
So on this ranch the herd grew, larger and larger. But the Big Owner and His Son were never quite satisfied with the size of the herd, they always had room for more. Their resources were vast. Thousands of acres of good and rich grasslands, and the ability to make thousands of bales of hay, and grow plenty of grain, it was not a difficult task to feed this giant herd.
Each year the herd would grow from the cows having calves. There was this very special cow, who was very dear to the rancher, and she had a beautiful heifer calf that year. White faced and beautiful shiny black hide. Playful and full of life. Then the big day came. Branding day. Now that cow had some explaining to do to that calf. She said, "It is necessary for us to wear the brand, that is how the whole world knows that we belong to the very best rancher in the world. No one will be able to steal us from the ranch, because we belong to him, and so then we are secure. It may hurt for a little while, but it is really a brand of love."
No one is sure if the calf believed her mom, but on branding day you should have seen her. Instead of having to be coaxed to the fire, or even led, she marched right up to it, she didn't even bawl like the others when the hot iron seared her hide for life.
Her mother was so proud of her little heifer, and wasn't afraid the tell the other cows about it, or the bulls either for that matter. She would moo: "Someday my brave calf is going to grow up into a wonderful addition to the Ranch's herd, and do great things."
How I wish I could end the story here. But there is surely more I must tell. One night and no one knows for sure why, but the mother cow just passed away. Never woke up. The Rancher rushed to here in the morning, but she had already gone. He was deeply saddened for He loved that cow so much.
Something stirred deep within the heart of that calf. Why hadn't the Rancher saved my mom? How could he let her die? After of couple of days, she grew bitter against the Rancher, so early one morning with rebellion in her heart she turned toward the wilderness and ran to it. "I'll never go back! It might be dangerous out here, but no one cares anyway, I might as well make my own way." And there out where the wolves, snakes, and big cats lived she stayed. To her surprise she wasn't the only one out there with a brand on. There were many wild ones that had never been branded. But all the branded ones had their stories. Some had fights with others in the herd, others felt rejected because of some situation or another.
Now that Rancher man, He didn't have to do it. But each season, He would mount up and head out into the dangerous wilderness looking for the wild ones with no brands, and also for the ones that were branded. He didn't use a lasso, but He would just go through inviting them to come to the ranch, where there was peace, joy, and security from all the dangers. He never came home empty handed. Some were happy to come because they were hungry, others had strayed from the herd and just didn't know how to get home.
But there were others, like our little heifer, filled with anger and bitterness, that would refuse His offer every time. Some would even laugh at him. No matter what, He would be back out there again, asking again. Every time He would ask the heifer, Aren't you ready to come home? She would just flip her tail and run the other way. It didn't matter that she was lonely, didn't eat well, and spent most of her time just trying to stay alive, she was too filled with anger to respond. One time the Rancher found her in a huge bramble bush. Thrashing around trying to get out, only got her more entangled. She would soon become easy prey for whoever wanted a meal, or maybe starve to death. The Rancher happened upon this scene, He quickly jumped off His horse and slowly and methodically cut through the bramble, in order to free her. As He got the last bit off, He asked "Won't you come home?" Sad and lonely, she just turned and trotted away. The Rancher, slowly brushed a tear from His eye, and rode back to the ranch. Greatly saddened because she had such great potential.
One late November, with the winds picking up, and frost in the air the Rancher headed out for the last time of the year. He was a bit weary, and not looking forward to the cold, but this heifer was on his mind. He was discouraged with her defiance, and wondered if she would last through the long hard winter that was ahead. He wasn't that far into his trip when He heard this terrible bellowing. It seemed to be coming from just beyond that knoll. He spurred his mount, and immediately saw the problem. His precious rebellious heifer had fallen into a pit and was struggling to get out. Her other problem was that a large male cougar was on top of her clawing and biting her to death. Without a second hesitation, the Rancher drew his rifle and shot the big cat. But that beautiful heifer wasn't very beautiful anymore. All dug up, and bleeding. The Rancher got a rope and with His horse's power gently tugged the heifer up on flat land. There wounded and bleeding the heifer said the words that she never thought she would say: "Can I come home?" A smile creased the Rancher's face, and once again with a tear in His eye He told her: " Everything is going to be ok, I'll get you home." By this time all her strength was gone, and feared dying. The Rancher quickly made a litter, and rolled her over on it. He immediately began to work on her to stop the bleeding, and began to soothe her wounds.
On the way home her old attitude just broke. The sorrow that she had held in all those years spilled out in great sobs, the Rancher dismounted and put his arm around her neck. "Master my life has been miserable out here, trying to survive day to day. I'm afraid all the time. I don't know why my mother died, but I now know it wasn't your fault.....I'm sorry...so sorry. " The Rancher responded; "I miss your mother too, she was very special to me, she was special to all of us. But you are very special to Me as well, I'm looking forward to our time together."
Just around the bend from the home Ranch, the heifer asked the Rancher to stop. "I don't know if I can walk, but I want to try. I don't want the other cattle to think the only reason I'm coming home is because I'm injured. " They will probably all judge me anyway." So with much effort He helps her get to her feet. He tells her; "You might be surprised."
On they came to the home ranch. First some of the old cows noticed who was coming, and then the heifers, and then even a few of the bulls took notice of the branded heifer had come home. They surrounded her, not to judge her, but to encourage her, and welcome her home. That night the heart of that heifer changed. No longer would she roam the wilds, but stay in the security and joy of the home ranch.
She did leave the ranch occasionally. It has been said that the Rancher never went on another roundup, without her at his side. She would go all over with Him inviting the wild ones, and the rebellious branded ones to come home. It has been said that those roundups had been the most successful ever. And if you have the right kind of ear, each night you can hear these words from the middle of the herd:
"The Lord Jesus is my Rancher, He always supplies all my needs. He allows me to lie down in luscious green pastures; He brings me to cool watering holes. He brings refreshment to my soul, He takes me down the paths of rightness, so that I may be a blessing to His name. Even though there are many dangers, I'm not afraid, He's with me, His 30/30 Winchester and lariat comfort me. He makes sure I have plenty to eat, even if those that hate are around. If I ever get injured by a cougar, He heals my wounds, boy am I happy to be home. I know that there are only good things for me, and I choose to live at the home Ranch forever and ever!"
Author: Pastor Scott Thurber
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