{ learning to walk }

When a giraffe baby (called a calf) is born, it drops to the ground head first, about 6 feet. The fall and landing doesn't hurt the calf, but it does cause the baby to take a big breath (similar to when a doctor spanks a newborn after exiting the birth canal ;) ). "Why 6 feet?" you ask because giraffes give birth while standing. The next thing that happens may surprise you: the mother giraffe kicks her calf. Take in mind, a kick from a mother giraffe is powerful enough to kill a lion or predator; this is one of their defense mechanisms they have to protect them their predators. So picture this; the calf struggles to stand and mama kicks baby again. Mama watches baby as he fights to stand, struggling to balance and pushes himself up on all fours. If she see any signs of struggling or weakness her you can bet she'll give him another kick. This process continues until the baby giraffe is able to stand up on his own. It is when he stands on his own swiftly, she starts to love her child.

The baby stands up enforced by the hurt and pain from the kick. The mother worries for her child since carnivores will aim to harm him if they see him slow and weak. Once the child can stand up, only then it can run to save its life. When I picture giraffes, I see them amble, graceful and slow. But when they are being hunted or pursued, they can run up to 35 mph. You see, once the baby giraffe stands up, he will be more independent, and the speed of a mother and child would be same. The mother has taught the child first lesson to struggle in life.

Family do you see a similar pattern in your life? Do you sometimes feel like you are faced with trails that are never ending? As if even when you’re already down, life seems to just kick you in the butt? Have you ever asked, “God why are you allowing this”? You struggle to stand and it seems as it’s just in time for the world to knock you off your two feet again. Something I’ve learned from this dear little calf, struggle is everywhere in nature. Trails will come and go, whether you are a Christian or not but the hope is that in Christ, you will be comforted, strengthened and promised greater things. God did not say walking with him would be “easy”, but yet that it would be “worth it”. Are you facing something in your life that seems as though nothing good can come from it? Do you struggle to believe that God can use the bad to bring out the good? Let me remind you, God is omnipotent (unlimited power, ruling over all things) and omniscient (unlimited knowledge, aware of all things and understanding).

All trails do not come from God; sometimes they can be a result from our actions, the action of others, or our own desires. (Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”). But the beauty is that God is sovereign and can certainly turn it for the good in you. (Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”). As the mother giraffe tries to teach her calf, the enemy is among them and will wait for a fall. She shows the calf that he is to be on alert. She already has an expectation that her calf will encounter the predator, so she teaches him to get up quickly so that the enemy may not be able to attack him when his guards are down. It’s just the same for us, God knows the enemy waits and watches for an open door to stumble us, and when he does he will turn on us and accuse us of horrible things. In the bible it tells us exactly the same, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. But the awesome thing about God is he has more grace and mercy than we have sins (that’s a lot, I know!). We can come to him humbled and in humility, repent and we are confident in knowing he forgives. He cleans the slate, as if it never happened.

I encourage you that whatever circumstances you are facing, keep your feet rooted in Christ Jesus and He will bring beauty and blessings out of your trails. Dust yourself up, and with God’s hand upon you, ask for strength and continue to serve and glorify Him. He is molding you into being who you are meant to be, building your character. The world may abandon you, but He has never and will never leave your side (Hebrews 13:5 “"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."). The world has ridiculed and insulted you; He will sustain you and provide the strength to lift you up. The world tells you that you are not enough, lacking of many things, Father tells you that you were perfectly formed by His hands, beautiful, flawless and precious. Do not let the enemy steer you from the truth, do not let their false accusations and discouraging words block out the tender whispers of your King (1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”). Family I encourage you that when you grow weak and weary, cling on to Jesus. Do not fall at the feet of the enemy yet kneel at the throne of you King and He will lift you up. May His face shine upon you.

Credits: giraffe kiss , baby giraffe , hands prayer