Triangle Neck

Over the past few days I have been far far away from our home in Haiti.  I had the opportunity to travel out North to participate in training church leaders for VBS this summer.  There was a lot of sweat, some pretty thirsty afternoons, and enough smiles to make the full-days "oh so worth it."  Myself and 5 others traveled the rough terrain of Haiti for a little less than 10 hours in order to reach our destination on Monday.

I received a great ab work out simply trying to hold myself straight and steady on the bumpy paths, I also had PLENTY of time to take in the sights.  One particular sight caught my attention about 5 hours into the trip, when we stopped at a little market for a needed stretch break.

As I stood outside the vehicle stretching my legs and enjoying a long awaited bottle of water, my attention was captured by these uniquely adorned goats...

The goats were simply going about their own business with these triangle contraptions around their necks.  As I watched, my curiosity was peaked and I began to think about what the purpose of these neck braces were.

I was informed that these "triangle necks" were given to the goats by their owners.  The contraption was placed on the goats' neck to prevent the goats from squeezing through the fences placed around gardens.  Why? You may ask. 

If a goat is found in a garden that is owned by someone else, they will be killed by the gardens owner, no exception.

The goats owner knows its ability to wander.  To say the goat is not the brightest animal in the world would be an understatement.  They simply wander around, nose to the ground, looking for anything and everything to eat.

A slight smile crept on my face as I was learning about the "triangle neck."  It made me think about my relationship with my Savior.  He knows that most times I am not the brightest.  I can get myself into some pretty rotten situations if I am not careful.  However, I am oh so thankful that He does not make me walk around with a triangle contraption on my neck to keep me from danger.

He walks with me day in and day out.  He sent His son to pay the penalty for all my wanderings and sin.  He gave the Holy Spirit to be my guide, to keep me out of gardens that I should not go.

I wonder if at times, to the world, my actions/dress/speech may look as strange as the triangles around the goats' neck?  Unless they know my Savior, they do not understand why I would willingly put on this new life.

I know this because when I saw the first goat in this unique decor, I did not understand.  However, after learning the reason for these contraptions, I found myself searching for goats that were wearing this neck decor on the remainder of our drive.

When I would see goats arrayed in their triangle necks, I knew they were cared for.  As crazy as this may sound, I felt bad for the goats that were not in triangles.  No one cared where they were or what they were doing.

I want to follow my master in whatever way He leads me.  I trust and know that He has my best interest in mind.  Although at times we may seem like "triangle necks," thank the Lord for His care and provision for our lives day in and day out.

God, thank you for caring enough for me that you guide me everyday.  I ask that I would always be searching for you and not lost in my own wanderings.  When I stray, thank you for protecting me in ways I can never imagine.  Thanks for not making me wear these crazy neck apparatuses.  I love you Father. Amen.