One day, Dad had all the hogs rounded up and penned at the barn so that he could notch ears and clip tushes. I badly wanted to come. I was about 5 or 6 at the time. Dad told me to get up in the hayloft, right above where he was working and stay put. I had a great view to watch from there. Was I satisfied? Nooooo! I wanted to help! Dad was busy clipping tushes, baby pigs were squealing and sows were outside Dad’s working pen, making that “wolfing” noise that hogs make when they’re upset. Unbeknownst to Dad, I slipped out of the hayloft, was out in the barnyard making my way around to the back of the barn, where all the “action” was.
Before I got very far – here came “Ole Crow” – heading straight for me. I panicked – which was a very reasonable thing to do, considering the situation. There was a large pile of lumber nearby. I ran up that pile. Like “sure” that’s going to save me?! She clears fences! Ole Crow ran up the pile after me. I was screaming, but Dad couldn’t hear me over the squealing of the pigs. There was nothing else to do but “run for Dad” fast as my little legs could carry me! (I am inclined to believe at this moment, they were pretty fast, ‘record breaking’ fast actually.) Crow was right on my rear, “wolfing” all the way and I am convinced that if I would have tripped and fell, she would have killed me right then and there. I was running as fast as I could, yelling “Daddy!” hard as I could every step of the way! Dad saw us, grabbed up a board and headed towards me. I made it to Dad and Ole Crow didn’t get me. (I guess you’ve done figured that part out since I’m here writing this.) I jumped up in his arms and kept climbing till I was perched on his shoulders. I was so scared that I peed all over Dad! I don’t think he even cared at the moment; he was too busy beating Ole Crow off of both of us! I had learned my lesson. I was totally satisfied to stay within those set boundaries after that!
Is there a “point” to this story? I sure hope so. The way I figure it is God, as our Heavenly Father, has set boundaries for us to live by. Those boundaries are often times looked upon as being there just to take our “freedom” and “fun” away, but that’s a misconception. God’s “boundaries” are there for our life, health, peace and safety. But just like I did back then, most of us got to “slip across the line” some time or another, in an attempt to get our way! Sometimes, we can find ourselves in a worse situation even than having a hog on our hinny! What’s the answer? Same. Run to the Father, calling out the Name of Jesus! He’ll save you. Don’t worry about cleaning yourself up before you come. You don’t have time, and furthermore, you can’t ! It ain’t about looking pretty. It’s about being safe! Just like my daddy didn’t throw me aside because I peed all over him, neither will Jesus cast you aside – in all your mess! He doesn’t care what you look like, or where you’ve been – He just cares about you!