Well, looka there!  A brand new member of a new generation.  So much for them to see.  So much for them to learn.  Who’s going to show them all there is to see and know?

Momma cow is going to be busy taking care of Jr.  She will have to show him where the good grass is, where the gates are, where the pond is located.  She will “train” her baby by making him aware of where the salt lick is, where the farmer places the hay bales.  She will be there as he learns about barbed wires, snakes, electric fences, and gullies that you can fall into.  Momma cow has a tremendous responsibility when it comes to “training up” her calf in the way that he should grow.  But she loves her baby.  Nothing had better come between her and her baby.  (Especially me with my camera.  Two seconds after this picture, she had me running back to the truck for cover!)

Cows are creatures who live in herds. (Us people live in herds also)  So while momma teaches her calf and provides for him, the herd itself also has a chance to help “train” this youngster.  Ever notice in a herd of cows, at certain times of the day when they are grazing, that most of the calves are grouped together with one or two cows overseeing them?  We call it “kindergarten time”.  Each of the calves will learn a lot on their own as they interact with other calves and the rest of the herd.  The interaction with calf and other grown cows is amazing to me.  You can tell that the calf doesn’t “belong” to the other grown cows.  But there is a bond between them because they are in the same herd.

Staci and I, along with a couple of youth in our church had the opportunity to help “train” the children at our church’s Bible School (Shout out to Zach, Luke, and Brandon!)  We shared Bible stories to these children who are “part of our herd“.  Just like in the animal world, mama (and Dad) has the biggest responsibility for raising and training their baby.  But as part of the herd, YOU and I have a great opportunity to help with the growth of this newer generation.

What about you and your herd?  It may be a son, daughter, grandchild, a friend’s child, a friend of a friend’s child.  It may be someone who is to become a friend and part of your herd regardless of age.  But think a minute on this.  You yourself know about life.  You yourself know where the “fence” is, where the “hay bales” are located.  You know the dangers of life in the “pasture”.  You have faced the “coyotes of life”, the “storms” in the valley, and the dangers associated with living.  Don’t ya think it makes sense to share your experiences with these younger ones coming up.  Why, they don’t even know what “rain” is yet!!!!!!!

Oh, you are saying to yourself…….. you’re not qualified, huh?  Let mama take care of ’em huh……..  Well, mama needs help.  Jr. needs help…. from you.  These new generation creatures are facing a much different “pasture” than what was before.  They face difficulties and adverse conditions that were not there even 20 yrs ago.  You and I (as part of the herd) must help with their training.  Why?  It pleases the ultimate farmer……. The Head Rancher in the Sky………God Himself…… He is pleased.   YeHawww  Cowboy!!!

See, if we let this new generation go their own way, it will lead to hard times for them.  If we spend some of our time, give away some of our experiences, it will benefit them at some point down the road.  This new generation is not good at expressing their thanks and gratitude for the help that you give them, but you help them OK?  You go out of your way to help mama train them OK?  Here’s why.

Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

A 55 yr old friend of mine is going through some tough times right now.  But he told me that he relies on a scripture that he learned in Bible School when he was eight years old !!!!

That scripture was about how God takes care of the birds of the air, and that He will take care of you.  Someone in his herd “trained” him when he was eight to prepare my friend for when he was 55 yrs old.  Who would of thought that??

My challenge to you is this.  You are part of the herd.  Some group of people could use some of your experiences of life “in the pasture”.  They don’t need a Bible scholar, or a counselor, or a school teacher, or a crisis manager.  These young “calves” need something much more.  They need YOU.  Just a few words here and there. Just a brief nod of approval.  Just a time of interaction with them.  A time spent with this younger one will be a time of “training” for them….. and a rewarding time with “your herd” for you.  That’s no bull!!

See Ya!!!  Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher,  part time Cowboy