When I was growing up, I could not wait until I could join the 4-H Club. In the 4-H Club you could have projects that would teach you responsibility. For my project each year I chose feeding calves, to show and to sell. In doing so I had to borrow the money to purchase the calves and make a deal with the feed company to purchase my feed on credit, until I sold my calves in the fall. My calves were usually Black Angus steers. They had to be fed and watered twice a day and their general health and well being looked after. This taught me responsibility that I still use today.
In September of each year we would have a show and sale of our calves. The steers weights would range from 750 to 1200 pounds. In order to show and sell them they had to be broke to lead and could not be wild. I was good at breaking them to lead, washing and preparing them for showing and finally leading them in the ring before the judges. I even won a few showmanship awards.
I remember breaking them to lead. I had a certain way I would do this. First, the steers were usually a little wild and would not let me get near them, much less put a halter on them. The way I did it was to show them some kindness from a distance. I had a long pole with a curry comb wired on the end of it. I would get them in the barn and slowly start scratching their backs with that comb.
When they got still enough for me to start scratching their backs, they started liking it. Each day I would get closer and closer to them. Eventually, I could do away with the long pole and just walk up slowly to them with a brush and start brushing them.
Next, I would put a rope halter on them and let them drag the rope. When they stepped on the rope they would have to stop, then later I would tie them to a rail so they would learn that they could not get away when there was resistance on the rope. I was kind and gentle with them and they knew I would not harm them. With their submission, I could wash them, practice grooming them for the show, and do a better job of caring for them.
Sometimes, God shows us kindness from a distance to get close to us. In a world that is so fast paced, we do not slow down long enough to see His kindness. He gives us a beautiful sunrise to start the day. For those who do not rise early, He also gives a beautiful glowing sunset. The smells of spring after a long cold winter are welcomed by us, but we may never thank Him for this. Many may not even acknowledge that He created the beautiful shade trees that we sit under, to cool ourselves, on a summer day.
If we run away from Him, as my calves ran from me at first, we will never experience the peace that he offers that passes all understanding. If we begin to recognize His kindness, we will allow Him to come closer. When we desire to get close to Him, we will submit to His commandments and allow Him to mold us in a way that we can serve Him better. We will then have that peace, even when we are experiencing trials in our lives.
Kindness is included in the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Gal. 5:22 . We can use this kindness to get close to people and in turn get them closer to God. Remember Christ was kind to people. He healed and fed them to get them to see God living in Him.
Do people know you are a Christian? Are you kind to people? More importantly, do you want to be kind to people? Today in our communities people need, more than ever before, to see kindness. I know I need it shown to me. When we are kind to one another, we with God's help can survive any storm Satan may send our way.
Let's, tomorrow, use the fruit of the Spirit, kindness, even if we have to do it from a distance, and see if we can make someone's day brighter.
You, the readers of this blog, are so kind to me. You are patient as I work on improving my writing skills and for that I am very grateful.
Please send any comments to rhepler52@gmail.com .
Thank you,
Rick Hepler
