Morning Moos and Hugs
31 Days of Courageous Hope - Day 20
Tuesday - July 20th
Scripture to Read Today: Lamentations 3:19-24
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His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Every morning Jenna taps on farmer Ryan Phillips window until he hugs her. Jenna arrived on the Williamsburg, Virginia dairy farm rescue sanctuary as a young calf. She was born unable to give birth or give milk. She was no use to the dairy farm where she had been born.
The daughter of the farmer who owned the calf asked her dad if she could find a home for Jenna. She did not want the young cow to be euthanized. She found Ryan and the special farm designed for farm animals just like Jenna.
Ryan babied Jenna when she was young and sickly. He fed her bottles of milk and spent time in her stall, making sure she was comfortable at night. Every morning he gave the calf a morning hug. Jenna began to thank Ryan with the sound of a happy moo. Yep, a happy moo!
Now, a full-grown cow, Jenna makes her way to a side window of the farmhouse to get her morning hug and express her appreciation for Ryan's embrace with a series of moos. She arrives at the window at the same time each morning and taps the window with her nose. Ryan opens the window, greets her with both a morning "hello" and a hug.
According to Ryan, this regular morning routine has become just as important him as it is to Jenna. He says the morning hugs and moos start the day off right and make the new day seem like a fresh start. He wouldn't miss them for the world!
For Jenna and Ryan, it isn't officially morning until they exchange hugs and moos. Maybe you have some routine that officially tells you it is morning. Many people believe morning hasn't appropriately started until they have their first cup of coffee for the day.
In the Book of Lamentations, the Prophet Jeremiah identifies the mercies or compassion of God toward Him as new every morning. Each morning he celebrated the goodness and faithfulness of God. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
The prophet had an unwanted first-row seat to God's judgment on the people of Israel. Jeremiah writes very little in his book of lament over that judgment that points to God's love or hope. But here in chapter three, he declares the goodness of God and how that goodness refreshes him each new morning.
Maybe you don't have a cow tapping on your window for a hug every morning, but you can celebrate the mercies and goodness of God each new day! Even in times of judgment and pruning, God lovingly gives us the gift of a fresh new day. That fresh new day from the Lord and the mercies that accompany it, gives us a hope-filled, courageous approach to live daily!
Starting today, take time each morning for the next four or five days to thank God for His goodness in your life. Think of the people closest to you and how you love them. Thank God for them. Let the reminder of God's love and mercy toward you shape your day. Let his kindness and faithfulness drive and inspire you!
God's mercies and faithfulness provide you a fresh launch of life each and every morning!
Today’s Prayer
Lord, remind me as I wake up the next several mornings that your mercies are new for each new day. Help me to view life from your eyes. Give me a fresh launch every day. Even when the day before has overwhelmed me, let me start my day with your mercy and grace. -Amen