The Gift

Readers that follow this blog know that Sparkle, the heifer that calved last night, is often referred to as our therapy cow. Sparkle isn’t the gentlest of the heifers, but when she approaches us and nuzzles our hands, for some reason we always feel, well, lifted up. I can’t explain why—her nose is always slimy, after all—but we just do.

I know two people that are like that. Just being in their presence for a few moments somehow makes me feel, well, lifted up. It’s not so much what they do or say, it’s just a gift they have.

Anyway, it seems that Sparkle’s gift works on her fellow cows as well. Clarabelle, who had Cisco several days ago, had been too nervous to eat or drink much; consequently, she didn’t make enough milk. But when I put Sparkle and her (still unnamed) calf out in the pen next to Clarabelle today, the latter settled down and started to eat and drink much more. The milk machine has kicked into a higher gear.

The gift may be heritable. The very first time I approached Sparkle’s little heifer, she took a few steps toward me. I bent down, and she nuzzled my nose with hers!

“Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.”                             –1 CORINTHIANS 7:7b (NLT)