The Parable of the Cows

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A Life Perspective….

The Parable of the Cows

This is a true story; we watched it happen.

One of our heifers was in labor. Cows by nature are herd animals, meaning they tend to stick together in groups. Yet when a cow is in labor, she will usually wander off from the herd to the side of the pasture to have her calf in private. This particular heifer, who seemed to be in distress and trouble, was in the middle of the field with all seven of the other cows gathered in a circle around her. We watched as she labored, lay down, stood up, lay down and kicked at her belly.

After an extended period of time, Gene began to get concerned. He started pacing the edge of the field, watching with binoculars and trying to decide what to do. This group of cows was not very friendly, making it difficult to corral and help the one in labor. Another cause for alarm was the flock of buzzards circling above. This spring we’ve had an unusually large number of the black, hooked beak vultures hanging around. So far they have not caused us any trouble, but they are birds of prey and have been known to attack a cow in labor and eat the calf as it is being born. Suddenly as we watched, the buzzards began landing and strutting toward the cows. And then a most amazing thing happened. One of the cows left the circle, ran at the buzzards, and chased them away before coming back and rejoining the circle. This went on until the cow had the calf and both were back on their feet. I noticed that for the rest of the afternoon, the herd of cows kept their eye on the buzzards and chased them whenever they landed close by.

Wow! Isn’t this a picture of the way we function as a church? By nature, humans like to be part of a group. We gather together to worship and fellowship, yet we are individual families doing our own thing. But if one of the group is in trouble or gets under attack, we will “circle the wagons,” just like the cows, caring and protecting until the one who is down is back on his or her feet.

The apostle Peter didn’t mention buzzards, but he admonished us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary the devil is on the prowl as a stalking lion, seeking whom he can destroy. He says we are to resist the devil and remain steadfast in faith, knowing that as a brotherhood we will experience sufferings and difficulties. (I Peter 5:8-9) Peter also says we are to have fervent love for one another, as that will cover a multitude of sins or weaknesses.

Pat Hertzler

March 30, 2008