Amelia is a 12 year old from Tennessee
My family lives on a farm. We have many animals. My favorites are the calves. We are with them from the time they are born— sometimes we even have to help them be born. After a few months, we begin to train them to show. Wow! What a job! They can be so stubborn. They know what they want to do and what they do not want to do. We have to halter break them and train them to lead. They fight against the halter and try to pull away. They bow up and won’t budge sometimes! It takes much time, patience and encouragement to get a calf to yield its own will to mine. But finally—when the calf yields its will to the leader, it is a beautiful and graceful animal. It performs easily and safely in the show ring showing its superior design. After the show, I get to ride the fair rides and eat a carmel apple. The calves and owners are rewarded for all their hard work!
What can we learn from Amelia’s experience?
We, like young calves, can be stubborn at times. Left without guidance and discipline, we will simply do what they want to do. Amelia mentioned it takes time, patience, and encouragement to get a calf to yield its own will to the leader’s. The same characteristics are also needed in training up children. We may not receive a caramel apple at the end of every day, but the eternal rewards will be worth the hard work! But children are not the only ones who can be stubborn and want to follow after their own will. Jesus is ready to lead us in the direction of Heaven. Are you allowing Him to lead?
