Ever Feel Like the New Calf on the Block?

Ever feel like the new kid on the block? 

Or the new calf on the ranch?

The yellow sticker gives you away. You came from the auction. 

You're new to the ranch. You're new to town. New to the school. New to college.

New to the culture of your spouse's extended family.
New to the church.
New to the job. 

 Everyone crowds around to take their first look. 

And maybe their first laugh.

Or their first guffaw.
To offer their first observation--or criticism.

Their first smirk behind your back. Or their first scornful snoot to your face, which will not be the last.

 Big bully comes nosing right in like his only business in life is snooping around about your business

and letting you know who is boss around here.

 A less aggressive but still curious steer has to get his share of peering and staring done.

 And when you take off down the fence line, Big Bully and Curio follow hard on your heels. 

Just what are you about anyway?

 Big  Bully has to let you know this pasture is not about you.

It wouldn't be about him, of course, but it is most decidedly not about you!

Before you know it, this half-ton steer is crunching his weight down on your little back.

 And really, there isn't much way any of us who are small and weak and unsure of ourselves

could possibly make it if "Somebody Bigger Than You and I"

didn't come to our rescue.

Thwack!

What would we do without the person next to us who stands up for the new kid on the block,

the new guy on the job,

the new gal in the office,

the new girlfriend or boyfriend, the new wife, the new mom, the new teacher, the new, insecure you.

Give'm a break, mister!

What would we do if our Friend-Who-sticks-closer-than-a-brother

didn't come along and grab the old bull by the horns?

What would we do without a Redeemer to rescue us to where we could safely become part of His family?

Part of the ranch, part of the barnyard.

A Redeemer Who knows what it is like to have to find refuge, like our new little calf, in a quiet and lowly stable.

Where the goats and sheep and chickens and doves and pigeons and barn mice offer a friendly welcome,

and the old bully black steer soon to roast in the Lucas crock pots,

is left outside to cool his jets.

And so the new calf on the block is welcomed to the farm by the rooster and hens and two goats and two dogs and two steers and a few bunnies and barn mice and I-don't-know-how-many cats,

and by seven happy kids and a proud dad 

and a mom who runs around taking pictures!