Last year we decided to raise our own fresh meat. So we purchased a 400 pound calf and named him July. Our friends, who are experienced at raising animals for food, encouraged us to name him something as a reminder of what his purpose was in our lives. We decided on July because that would be the month of his departure.
This past year I have learned a lot about bovine creatures that I was never privy to before this encounter. I was not aware of the deep social needs of these animals. When we bought July, we were told that they do much better in pairs. But what were we going to do with all that meat? My practical mind told me that one 1300 pound animal was enough. So we stuck with buying just one steer.
.JPG)
As time went on and July began to grow he started getting lonely. The only company that he had were our chickens and our dog Rusty, who loved licking him in the face. July could often be found laying next to the chicken coup or standing at the fence line so that Rusty could give him a facial.
One day, in the dead of winter, he decided that this was just not meeting his social needs and so he jumped the fence into our neighbor's field to spend some time with her sheep and llama. It was quite alarming to this city girl to get a call from the neighbor that our steer was in her yard. So I went over to the neighbor's field and coaxed July back with a bucket of grain. However, when he was back in our field he looked back at his new friends and decided he wasn't ready to come home yet. So he turned around and jumped the fence again. We finally got him home and raised the fence line.
Another day, I was home alone and sick in bed. The phone rang and another neighbor called and said that our beloved July was out walking on the road. She was kind enough to coax him into our neighbors field until we could get him home. This was many months ago and since that last break out July has calmed down and settled into life on our farm. I enjoyed watching him graze in our fields and he was always interested in our presence.
Yesterday, the butcher came a calling. I chose not to be present to see him meet his end. I was in the house when I heard the gunshot that took his life. It is never easy to experience death. I am thankful for July giving his life so that I can enjoy organic, grass-fed beef. His sacrifice is bringing new life.
As I was thinking about these things this morning I was reminded of the death of Jesus. I have heard all of my life that Jesus sacrificed his life through death. When we take communion we say that it is the symbol of the body and blood of Jesus. Before Jesus died he broke the bread and said this is my body, broken for you and this is my blood shed for you. I think that Jesus' use of these symbols were to remind us the he is the giver and sustainer of life. We eat and drink everyday to sustain our lives. Jesus asked us to remember him when we do. Remember where your life comes from. We have been removed from death in our culture, especially when it comes to our food supply. In the ancient world when Jesus spoke these words I think the meaning ran much deeper because of the people's first hand knowledge of death. They didn't go to the supermarket to buy their meat in plastic wrap. They understood that a living being would die so that they could live.
God has given us life, and the plants and animals that we eat to nourish us are gifts from our Creator. Raising our own beef has given me a much greater appreciation for the sacredness of life. Having first hand knowledge of where my beef came from gives me a thankful heart for the sacrifice of the animal I will be eating. So the next time you have a hamburger, remember that an animal give their life for you and be thankful.
Those who think one day is special do it to honor the Lord. Those who eat meat do it to honor the Lord. They give thanks to God. Those who don’t eat meat do it to honor the Lord. They also give thanks to God. - Romans 14:6
No comments:
Post a Comment