WHAT A COUPLE OF COWS TAUGHT ME IN 2019

The last day of 2019.  The days leading up to a New Year always cause me to pause.  It's a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings; gratitude, nostalgia, happiness, sadness and even a little apprehension.  Sometimes more apprehension than I would like to admit. 

As I was having coffee this morning I was reminded of two pictures I took this past year.  I try to take a daily walk and enjoy taking photos. I know nothing about professional photography and I use the camera on what is now a very dated iPhone 6. If you look at these pictures and think "those really aren't very good", your assessment would be correct!  

This sweet little calf caught my eye early this summer. 

I found this friend on an early morning walk in late November.  She meandered up to the fence and seemed to say, "take my picture please!"

At the time I took both of these pictures I was seeing only cows.  However, when I got home and looked at the pictures I made a couple of discoveries. In the first picture, I was pleasantly surprised to discover I had captured not only a sweet calf but also the red barn in the background.  That barn wouldn't mean much to most people but it is a barn I remember from my childhood; driving past it many times with my dad, mom and sister.  A tangible memory.

When I took the second picture I was just snapping a shot of a friendly cow.  I have no idea how many times I have seen this cow grazing with the rest of her friends and family in the field.  I was astonished when I looked at the picture to see she has a perfectly shaped heart on her face.

As I was looking at both of these scenes in real time I missed some very obvious things. I did not see the red barn or the heart on the cow's face.  How did that happen???  How could I fail to see what was right in front of me? What else am I not seeing?

I am reminded that I often fail to see the needs of those around me; the opportunity to help, to give, to share. I am guilty of being too busy,  unconcerned, judgmental, selfish and sometimes just lazy. I miss a LOT of things I should not just see, but most importantly, should move me to action.  

As I pause and reflect on yet another year about to pass, may I strive to look back only long enough to learn from what has been, focus more clearly on what is and have faith in the "pictures" that are yet to develop.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Romans 15:13