DO WE KNOW WHO WE REALLY ARE?
by Kathy Pegram

 

Two farm boys and their city slicker cousin cautiously moved across the barnyard. A huge Holstein bull eyed them across twenty feet of packed dirt. He was the biggest animal on the farm. He probably weighed more than a ton of quivering bone and muscle.

The boys walked sideways, eyes locked on the bull. They knew that if they broke the gaze and bolted for the fence, he would be after them like a locomotive. The animal would dance around on his front feet, snort softly and lower his head

The younger farm boy and his cousin looked yearningly at the fence by the barn. The ten yards that between them and the fence could have been ten miles. The boys six and seven years old, respectively, had no illusions of winning a race with an animal as powerful as the Holstein. Their heads barely came up to his shoulder.

"He's going to charge," the six-year old whispered to his brother.

The bull lowered his head still farther. He snorted again and shook his massive neck.

"If he comes after us, you two head for the fence as fast as you can," the older boy said quietly out of the corner of his mouth.

"So b-b-big!" the cousin stammered.

The bull might have heard the comment or seen a movement he didn't like. Or he could have just been trying to protect his territory. For whatever reason, he gave a snort and lunged forward. It couldn't be called a full charge but it sent the younger boys running for the fence as fast as their legs could carry them. The bull must have enjoyed the surge of self-importance for he increased his speed and let out another snort, loud and long enough to be a mild bellow.

The city kid glanced back once, for a split second. The picture he saw was forever etched in his mind.

The ten year old picked up a chunk of wood and turned the tables on the bull. He brandished his puny club like a Viking with a battle-ax and let out a roar. He headed for the Holstein as fast as his brother and cousin had fled.

The bull stopped short. He turned his big head side ways staring at his opponent out of one black eye. He snorted with less confidence. The child screamed again. The bull backed up. The boy got closer.

Then the big animal raised his head and pivoted on his hind legs. With his eyes rolling in terror, he lurched for the open pasture.

The three boys walked slowly across the driveway to the farmhouse and discussed the incident. The cousin was in awe.

"How did you do it?" he asked the ten year old.

"Oh, I wasn't worried," the hero said

"But that bull could have killed us!"

"Naw," the farm boy said. "He doesn't know how big he is. We've had him since he was a calf, and he still thinks he's a calf inside. He still thinks I can whup'im."

I read this story years ago then I stumbled upon it once again. I asked myself how many of us is like that bull? How many of us don't realize our own strength? How many of us don't have confidence in our abilities or ourselves? I pray that each of us will realize that we have more strength to stand and confront our problems than we realize. We don't need to turn and run. All we need is to trust God and have confidence in Him.

 

Love & Prayers,
Kathy