The Hemming of God

Recently I was reminded of a time I spent on a loved one’s cattle farm.  This particular visit we were working with the cattle one-on-one, giving them medication and much-needed individual attention. As the day went on, one particular cow impacted me, she was spunky and fought the process the whole way, we got her into the funneled shoot and once she was in the head gate, I put the rump board in behind her to hold her in nice and tight, no backing out. This poor gal – she thrashed so hard, causing the farmer to get a nose clamp, this was a metal clamp with a large rope attached to it, he placed it in the nostrils of the cow and brought her head up and tied her off.  This was done for her own safety.  She fought so hard that she ended up on her knees, and there she stayed.  If she would just calm down! Oh the pain, not for her, but for me!   I reached out and patted her, tenderly saying, “Just yield, it would be less painful.”  As the words escaped my lips, I stopped and sensed Holy Spirit tap my shoulder with a divine nod.  YES!  If I too would just yield to my Master, it would be less painful.

How often do we find ourselves in the ‘shoot and headgate’ of God (if you will)?  He is wanting to prepare us, heal us, create His character in us, and teach us – but … we fight it.  We thrash, bawl, and complain, oh it may be uncomfortable, and perhaps even feel a bit boarded in – the hemming of God.  David speaks of this, but in the context of BLESSING; “Before there is a word on my tongue You know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Psalm 139:4-6)  He goes on to say, “Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (v 14b)

I have to admit, I can relate to the sweet bawling cow, I too once required the nose clamp (for my own good) after I thrashed about for a bit, I sensed God’s hand on me, and it was GOOD – I know that full well!

Sometimes we come to God quietly and other times kicking and screaming – either way, thank you, Lord, for the hemming!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

* Please know, no cows in the above story were harmed, our spunky bawling cow was only in the head gate just a couple of moments and soon released out into the pasture.