Anticipation

The definition of anticipation rings true for our mantra during calving season on the Bar X Ranch. To look forward and expect or predict that something will happen is an everyday occurrence while in the midst of calving. Unfortunately, predicting which cow is ready to calve is definitely not a perfect science. Tim and I diligently check our cows to look for the signs of who might be ready to calve next. But mother nature is a fickle thing and it seems she loves to keep us guessing.

Tim has been on baby watch now since mid-February. I go up to the ranch on the weekends to give him a night off, so he can sleep a full night at least once a week. The routine of checking the cattle obviously requires night checks every 2-3 hours to be sure the cows are safe and sound and he is there to help if necessary.

We have one pen where we put the cows that are exhibiting all of the signs of who we think might calve next. We call it the maternity ward. Amy is perfect example of what anticipation looks like right? The funny thing is that although we guess correctly on a few, there are always those cows that make a fool out of you. We have had several calves with little or no warning in the feed lot, and they didn’t even make it to the maternity ward.

This brings us to Gloria. Gloria is our only first calf heifer and she has been in the maternity ward since mid-February. She did not take the first time with the bull, as she didn’t calve when we expected. So, we checked her every day with anticipation to see if there was a change in her bag, or whether she was springing or stretching. She definitely made us anxious as we waited in anticipation of the moment she is ready to calve. I am not sure of the accuracy, but they say 30% of all first-time heifers require assistance in calving. Therefore, we definitely wanted to be there to help if necessary.

It seems like most people like to be prepared for things that happen in life rather than be taken by surprise. It gives us a sense of peace and security when we think we are ready for the next big thing. Unfortunately, it is rare that we are actually able to predict when something good or bad is going to happen. Calving season can wear you down as you get up several times in the night and check cows. As we try and anticipate when a cow is ready to calve, we get anxious hoping they would just get it done.

Tim and I are humbled everyday recognizing that we can’t predict or know what to expect. It teaches us to trust in God's timing and will. Thankfully, even when we are tired and weary, there is an eternal hope that we can rest in. Finding our hope in heaven and being with Christ is what we all should anticipate instead of the day to day worry in this world.

Since I started this blog, Gloria has had a little heifer (girl). She calved with ease and

although Opal (that’s what I named her), had a little trouble sucking at first, she is now feisty and full of life. There is such relief that Gloria had a healthy heifer without needing help. When I watch Opal running around the lot and exploring the world, she gives me hope. She represents that life goes on, regardless of what we anticipate might happen.

I suppose it all boils down to trusting God and His sovereignty in your life. Rather than worrying or trying to prepare for every possible scenario, life requires us to be a little flexible and go with the flow. Having a faith in Jesus as our Savior gives us peace regardless of our circumstances. Through fires, loss of life and pandemics, we know that God holds tomorrow secure so we can live each day with hope.