Our Baby Goat Dies and Reminds Us of God's Love

(picture taken last night when Steven came home and met the little guy)

Yesterday we discovered we had another baby goat. Freedom finally gave birth, and since we didn't know when she was bred and therefore when she would deliver, we ended up missing it again! But it seemed like he had been born earlier in the day. He was so strong and already getting around so well. We never imagined we would find him dead in the goat barn this morning. It was so sad. We've never had a baby goat die.

I had been concerned because it didn't look like the mother was letting him nurse.  She seemed interested in him but when I tried to put him near her utter she would kick and walk away.  We tried to get him nursing last night and he did for a minute and then didn't want to anymore. I convinced myself that he must be nursing when I'm not around because he's doing so well.  Apparently I was wrong...or maybe there was another reason he died. 

I have to admit I have a little grudge against Freedom.  How can a mother not take care of her little baby?  I know things are different with animals, yet even in our society, countless mothers are rejecting their babies...and even choosing to kill them before they are born.  You don't see this kind of atrocity even in the animal kingdom.  

I am reminded of a verse that has been so dear to me...

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  Isaiah 49:15

This verse assumes how outrageous and unnatural it is for a mother to neglect her nursing baby. We know this to be true because of how our hearts react even when we see a mother goat reject her baby. We know that a mother's love is one of the surest and strongest of all we have known on this earth.  Yet God is saying there is something still surer. Even a mother may forget her nursing baby, yet God will never forget us.  

It was a sad, yet sweet reminder of His love today. I hope you are reminded of his love for you as well.  Nothing can turn His eyes off of you.  Nothing can pull you out of his embrace.  

Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (see Romans 8:38-39)