Sasquatch’s Mule = Balaam’s Donkey
Sasquatch’s Kawasaki Mule 4×4 wouldn’t start for Monday evening chores. Earlier that day we had hosted a piglet playdate for our first Outdoor School in a long time. With the sun already setting, I decided it would be prudent to do chores by hand instead of wasting the remaining daylight trying to get the side-by-side running.
160 pounds of feed were carried in 40 pound bags to 52 hogs including 2 nesting sows that just farrowed 12 piglets. 50 gallons of water were sloshed in 5 gallon buckets to 3 different watering stations up to a half mile from the farmhouse. 18 chickens and 15 turkeys were watered and fed scratch.
The work finished in the dark by headlamp.
I still haven’t tried to fix the Mule.
I’ve always said that I’m a slow learner and need God to speak to me through burning bushes with an audible voice telling me exactly what to do.
Unfortunately, I think I’m only going to get Balaam’s donkey.
The story of Balaam’s Donkey is one of the best in the Bible. Found in Numbers 22, the tale tells of the prophet Balaam being summoned by Balak in order to curse the Israelites. God wasn’t happy with Balaam so he sends His Angel to remedy the situation. Balaam doesn’t see the Angel, but his donkey does. The donkey runs Balaam off the road, into a wall, and then lays down. Balaam beats the donkey with his staff. In response, the donkey speaks to Balaam by rhetorically asking “[Dude, do you not see the Angel?]” Balaam finally gets off his donkey and bows down to the Angel.
Last month I named our Classical Conversations worship band “Balaam’s Donkey.” Then I led our Challenge A students in a study of Balaam’s Donkey as it relates to listening. Then Sasquatch’s Mule wouldn’t start for evening chores.
Let’s review the past two years of Sasquatch’s life:
COVID hit just as Sasquatch Wallows was getting started. This closed the farmers markets which were to be my primary form of marketing and sales. Then all the hook space at the custom exempt and small USDA butchers was booked for months even a year into the future as commercial slaughter facilities were closed due to COVID outbreaks. As the butcher and farmers’ market situations began to normalize, our feed supply dried up. I was forced to switch from natural whole field peas to a locally produced commercial feed. Ultimately, over the past six months my feed costs are up 40% while the quality of feed is down.
Then my Mule wouldn’t start for chores.
LET’S GO BRANDON!
But as I lugged bags of feed and water through the Oregon forests of God’s green creation, I started to slow down and walk with God; as Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the morning in the Garden; as Enoch walked with God after fathering a child; and as the disciples walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
I’m starting to think my jackass Mule is trying to tell me something . . .
Oh well, be sure to check out and share:
Sasquatch’s Supply Chain Issue Sale
Upcoming Outdoor & Farm School Dates
Educated Right – Conserving Education
(Kevin’s limited return to the practice of law)
