Goats in a Burning Barn

During the fire, we tried to coax the animals out of the smoke-filled barn- they wouldn’t budge for air or safety, no matter how much we beckoned. Eventually, to save the structure, we had to shut the doors and wait for the firetrucks. The barn and goats survived, but it was a scary, potentially tragic decision.

Afterward, our mama goat was so stressed she rejected her babies, turning us into emergency goat medics. Dan held her, I fumbled with needles giving shots, and the children learned that hungry goats will do almost anything for formula. After several days of patient work, she finally began nursing her babies again.

As I’ve thought about that cold morning, it struck me: those goats would not leave the barn until they were ready, even with all our urgent beckoning or loving persuasion. In a similar way, people’s hearts are not easily softened. Even when God invites and beckons, there are times when, for a season, it can feel like a door is closed while He waits for us to move toward Him.

Lesson: Don’t linger in smoky barns—or in smoky habits. When you feel a nudge to move toward safety and light, heed it, instead of risking the rescue that’s already on its way.