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We purchased two bottle baby goats last week for pack goat prospects and are named Doc and Marty after my husband’s favorite movie series of all times, Back to the Future. Doc was 3 days old, and Marty was 4 days old when we brought them home. They were taken from their mother at birth and our family became that provider. God has perfectly designed farm animals to raise their own. The more I am put in the situation of trying to fulfill that role, the more I realize just how incredibly inept I am compared to the farm mother. I watch my sheep ewes throw (birth) triples and manage to care for them with limited resources. While I, a human with relatively high intelligence, middle-class resources, and first-world problems struggle to find the delicate balance to keep bottle babies alive. Marty quickly started to get scours (a fancy word for diarrhea) and was in a lot of pain, and Doc eventually stopped eating.
I have spent more than a few hours that should have been devoted to sleep ensnared in worry. Doc and Marty are currently housed in my office that’s not ideal. But in Idaho, we have entered the 6th winter, and they didn’t need the chill on top of everything else. Does anyone else live in a state that tempts you with Spring about 20 times before it shows up? I digress but seriously Spring you can come anytime, I’m ready. One night while I was lying awake worrying, fretting, spinning thoughts in my head, and stressing about what to do to help these goats I felt a calm come over me. This calm interrupted my internal chaos and, in a voice, I might gently use to prod my child into compliance I heard myself say, you know the verse. You know the verse. And I did, instantly Philippians 4:6-7 came into my head, do not worry, pray, talk to God about it and ask for His help!
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
I stayed in bed and prayed, prayed for the Lord to take the worry away, prayed for the Lord to guide me, prayed for these little goats I had become attached to, and prayed for healing in my heart. All so often I can see the hand of God in the miracle of creation yet forget to close that loop and instead of prayer I reach for worry. I am not sure what it is about the fallen condition that allows me to reach for prayer so often in other situations but default to worry over prayer when anxiety strikes.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
That verse brings me profound contentment, each time I read 1 Peter 5:7 I feel a soothing wash pour over my ragged edges.
What are you worrying about? Is there a burden you are trying to carry?
There is no peace to be found in worry the peace we seek can only be found through Jesus.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Lord, thank you for planting these verses in my heart and for guiding me back when I allow worrying to replace prayer. Prayer releases me from the captivity of worry. I can come and rest my worries at Your feet Jesus for you are good, loving, and can show me peace. Thank you, Jesus, for Your sacrifice, and my redemption, through You. When the day feels heavy remind me to leave it at the Cross. When life seems so busy, I can hardly catch my breath encourage me to take a seat at your feet. I find the peace and rest I need in You Lord. Let me use this day to serve my King. -Amen
Update: Doc and Marty are both eating and doing well.