During calving season, I had to place “Magic the Donkey” into a timeout (here’s that post). Chasing new calves is not acceptable and while I suspect he thought them small predators, his actions presented a huge risk. I placed an ad on Craigslist for a Jenny. Jennies are female and are often much calmer, having a soothing effect on other donkeys around them.
Molly (pictured on right), who was Magic’s mother, was the perfect example of that. I’ve sat small children on her back and could spend hours brushing her. She was both patient and heartwarming. Molly was hobbled by what I can best describe as a clubbed foot. One of her front feet grew crooked, and I had to keep her hoof trimmed. Specialized trimming adjusted her hoof placement to offset her impairment; to keep her from tripping.
Molly didn’t run or trot too often, but made her way around the ranch each day. She was Magic’s constant companion; and before I had him gelded, Molly would bite his ear and settle him down whenever he got wound up. I watched her kick him with both back feet more times than I could count, but she kept him in line. During all the years they patrolled my pastures together, I intermixed them with the cattle with few problems.
As the weeks have passed since separating Magic from our cattle, I’ve noticed two things about my friend. He’s gotten heavier, and he spends more time each day mirroring the cattle. What I mean by this is if they go in the barn, he goes in the barn where he can see them through a gate. If they go to one front pasture, he’ll spend his day in the other one across the drive.
It breaks my heart sometimes to hear him braying for them; I think it a cry of loneliness. I try to spend more time with him throughout the day, but I can’t be his constant companion. It’s sad, but I smile when I see my cows and their babies come to the fence line across from where he is. They look at him as they feed. It seems they are somehow trying to comfort him (albeit from a safe distance). He is much more quiet and content in those moments.
I thought about the words of James 4:8 (NKJV). “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” I thought of how often I seek companionship with God throughout the day. This verse also caused me to think about the dangers of being “double-minded.” When I think on this term, my mind picture is one of me standing with half of me in God’s glory, the other half still attached to this world. In those moments, I pray the Holy Spirit continues His work to bring more of me into His kingdom. This is the work of sanctification.
I’ve wondered if Magic suffers from double-mindedness too. While a part of him longs for social interaction and companionship with his friends the cows, another wants to chase the little predator-sized calves to protect his friends. Since I’m not an animal psychiatrist (do such people even exist?), I can’t even presume to understand what he’s thinking. Maybe there’s a Horse Whisperer among you that might offer some insight.
In my search for companionship with my Creator, I’ve found that my early morning “God time” sets the tone for my day. Throughout the day I look at His beautiful world around me and thank Him in praise and prayer. Remembering His words written on my heart is another way I draw near to Him. In those memories, held dear from lessons He’s taught during my time studying His word, I find great peace.
In what ways do you seek companionship with God? Share on XI’ve not had any luck yet finding a companion for my buddy Magic on Craigslist or elsewhere. Perhaps it’s time for me to reach out to local livestock auctions. There are many donkeys needing a new and loving home, I’m trying my best to find one for free. Am not sure a jenny will solve the problem of his chasing calves, but it will at least relieve his loneliness. I hope you’ll join me in praying for the right solution to help my friend “Magic the Donkey.” I hope too, you will find even more ways to stay connected to our greatest companion throughout each day.
God’s blessings…
Love your analogy here, J.D. I do hope you find him a girlfriend soon 🙂
How we long for companionship with God. Since the Garden of Eden, our hearts feel empty until we find Him again. We are made for this close companionship. What a lovely gift.
Amen Ms. Jeanne. We are made for companionship and fellowship; that’s for sure! Thank you for your kindness ma’am. I’ll be sure to let you know how I resolve this.
J. D., enjoyed your story of magic and application for us. Draw near to God. That is such an amazing thought that we can and He wants us to.
Thanks Ms. Debbie. You’re exactly right ma’am.
wonderful story and analogy. Don’t know if I’m a donkey but I sure am rebellious of God’ way. ‘Lucky’ is also a gift for you. Some of my best ‘show’ beef ranchers used a very stubborn mule to teach the show steers to follow a lead. They would take a prized show capable steer and tie him to the donkey. Within a week, the steer would go where the donkey led, no problem. After that, even a small child could lead the steer. Wonderful to see that happen and the steer go on to national honors. Perhaps God ties me to a stubborn leash unto I learn to follow Him too.
Yessir Mr. Terry. You realize you painted a “mind picture” of our Father holding millions of leashes; creation’s busiest dog walker. 🙂 Yes, I’ve heard of folks using donkeys for just the purpose. I think all of God’s animals want and need to have a purpose in life. Thanks so much for commenting sir.
Awww! I love donkeys. Love your story and I hope Magic gets a girlfriend. Males were not made to be alone, right? God cares about the things we care about. He knows all about companionship. Thanks for your post.
Me too Ms. Stephanie. My friend Magic always wants me to scratch his long ears, rub between his eyes, and touch (sometimes peck) his velvety soft nose before he puts his head down to eat. Of course that’s breakfast. Snack time (oat and carrot treats) are a whole other story. 😀
Loneliness can lead us to make many bad choices in our lives. Sometimes that even happens to people surrounded by other people. Loneliness affects our identity no matter how many bodies are around. Truly seeking intimacy with God is the only way to being that peace. Thanks for this post. I do hope Magic finds a friend.
How very true sir. I sometimes lament so many years I knew Him, but didn’t serve Him. Life sure is better when I walk through it with God! And Thank You for wishes for my buddy Magic. To watch him roam around his 15-acre pasture all by himself breaks my heart sometimes.
I enjoy reading about life on your ranch and the lessons you draw from the everyday moments!
Thank you Ms. Candace. I spent many years working in the corporate world, living and traveling the world. When I retired; all I wanted to do was get back down South where I belong. 🙂
J.D., I always enjoy your messages. We all need companionship. Animals and people, we all need each other.
We sure do Ms. Melissa. You will probably agree with this, but I never realized how much I was missing in the companionship arena until I met my wife Diane. She’s like “air” to me now. 🙂
This made me chuckle – Magic DOES need a friend! Don’t we all? I am not as faithful as I can – and know I need to be – in cultivating that time with God. He is near, I’m the one who turns away.
Ms. Denise. Am betting it’s far less frequent than it used to me ma’am. We each have to find our own rhythm for “God time.” Praying yours becomes more natural over time.
JD, what a wonderful story. I remember Molly and her club foot. Those two donkeys we’re great friends even though they were related. I was wondering how Magic got his name. Did you name him? I sure hope you gets a friend and gets over the lonesome blues. God created Adam and it wasn’t long after that He created Eve so Adam would not be alone. Continue writing Jim you have a great gift.
Thanks Mr. Ray. Magic and Molly received their names from my wife Diane. With few exceptions, she gets naming rights here on the ranch. This year, we had two calves that she didn’t name. One I named “Giblets” because she was born just before the family sat down to Thanksgiving dinner. The other is named “Prancer.” She was name by my two great nieces just before Christmas. Thanks for all your encouragement sir; God’s blessings.
JD what a delightful story and word pictures. Thank you for the analogy of our need for our constant faithful companion.
Thanks Ms. Marilyn. Have learned that God is better than an AMEX; I never leave home without Him any more. 🙂
I love you thoughts on seeking companionship with God. My favorite place is my front porch, and my day goes better, too, if I start off with that time with Him. I’ll gladly add my prayers for a solution for Magic.
Thanks Ms. Julie. Am working this week to prepare the front porch for my Ms. Diane to spend her quiet time with God there on our front porch. For me, it’s out in a pasture with the other animals. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words ma’am; and your prayers for my buddy Magic are most welcome. God’s blessings ma’am.
I know you wanted me to bring back that stout black/white striped Zebra for Magic, but the Malawian government put the brakes on that.
Maybe the problem is his name. If you called him Majestic instead, perhaps a sweet little long-eared gal would have a hankering for him. And, alas, love is never FREE. 🙂
Seriously… have you tried any of the animal rescue groups? There are many. Search donkey rescue, Texas. Here’s one: https://www.tmrrescue.com/ The Texas Miracle Ranch. There are some real cuties shown there.
Also.. always, I love that your posts point to God and our relationship with Him. Thank You.
I know them Ms. Jackie, and have reached out to them. Am not convinced I need to pay hundreds of dollars to provide a caring home for an animal yet, but God can always change my mind. Too bad about that Zebra, she was a beauty. And to thank, if I hadn’t gelded Magic, we could have been grandparents to a Zonkey. 😀
Or a …Deebra. It’s peculiar how the Africans pronounce the “e” in zebra – like in the word red. They also pronounce zero that way, with the short e.
I like that. If I’m able to find a Jenny for my friend Magic, “Debra” will be her name. 🙂 You just named a donkey today Ms. Jackie. God’s blessings ma’am.
I do pray that you find find Magic a girlfriend. It hurts to be lonely. Love these messages when you share your wisdom using your farm friends. We can learn so much from nature if we just take the time to look around us.
You are so sweet Ms. Katherine. Whenever I feed Magic, he walks up to me and wants me to love on him for a while before he eats. Am praying I can find him a companion soon also. God’s blessings ma’am.