A Praise Report

The other morning just after dawn, I headed out to open the chicken houses.  There are decks on the front and back of my house, and right now the front deck is full of pots and plants.  Some plants remain in the pots on the deck for the summer, and some are bedding plants headed for the garden.  Strawberries for the new project were still on the deck that morning.  Actually in preparing for the Shemitah, it seems by the time I get everything planted, it will be time to harvest.

The decks have gates, because my goats are basically free-range and love to wander everywhere.  Two of my goats, particularly like the front deck and have tried everything to gain access.  Not only will they make a mess of the deck, they will eat my plants, so ACCESS DENIED!  I hear them outside my bedroom window every morning as they begin to stir just before daybreak.  I have a established a new habit that I am truly enjoying.  Before going out to open the chicken houses, while the coffee is perking, I read my daily Torah portion.  Then I grab a cup of coffee to enjoy while I open doors and check on the place.  The milking and bottle feeding comes later . . .

So here I am, Torah portion read, hot coffee steaming, as I open the front door, my heart skips a beat.  The deck gate is swinging wide open.  At a glance, I quickly take inventory.  Nothing has been disturbed.  All the plants still have their leaves, yet the goats are at the bottom of the steps looking at me.  I am so thankful!  The hand of Adonai is the only way to explain it.