Frustration

My sister and I were discussing the word “frustration” today.  We were talking about how it is an abstract word which is difficult to precisely define.  Frustration comes in many shapes and sizes.  The New Oxford American Dictionary defines frustration” as “the feeling of being upset or annoyed, esp. because of inability to change or achieve something.”  I especially relate to the last part of the definition…“because of the inability to change something!”  Yesterday brought a situation that I was powerless to change, yet it frustrated me.

I woke up early Saturday morning looking forward to a relaxing, restful day.  It had been a long week of learning to milk and care for the goat, and I had carefully planned to get up and milk then go snuggle back in bed.  Ha!  The life of a “farmer?”  Anyway, I prepared the scale, milk strainer (which consists of paper towel on top of a pitcher right now), the iodine teat wash, and the bottle for Edna.  7:30 am and I am out the door. 

The night before had been “perfect.”  Charlotte had eaten all of her food and we had a lot of fun directly squirting the milk into our mouths (nothing like milk straight from a teat!).  Well, I went out to milk and Charlotte would NOT eat her food.  She nibbled a little bit, but she is supposed to eat 2 quarts!  Then, she just laid down on the milking stand.  I set the little bit of milk I had milked outside of the goat pen because the kids were trying to drink out of the bowl.   Another uh-oh: The puppies came bounding up to the milk bowl and spilled most of it!  Frustrated, I next tried bottle-feeding Edna.  She has always had a voracious appetite, but this morning hardly sucked.  Why do I worry myself silly over these ridiculous goats, I thought to myself!  So much for my relaxing morning.  I did go back to bed, but it was more in retreat than in relaxation.

I thought I would try giving her more grain later.  I tried, but still she didn’t eat.  More frustration—I couldn’t change the situation.  I noticed Charlotte laying on her side in the goat pen.  I tried to keep from over-reacting, but I didn’t know if skipping a meal and laying down funny was serious or not.  Did she have some sort of “disease?”  Was the weather changing?  Could Charlotte sense something I could not?  Did I need to give her any type of medicinal “boost?”

Dinner-time rolled around.  Charlotte only ate a handful of grain.  I called the farm where I purchased Charlotte and they graciously told me to just wait.  It is probably the heat, they told me.

Thankfully, this morning and evening Charlotte ate about a quart of grain at each feeding!  She still needs to eat more, but at least she has an appetite.  Edna drank her milk, too. 

What I learned from my frustration:  A friend was recently explaining about worrying about new animals.  She explained about having a lot of “head knowledge” but only a tiny bit of “experience.”  I must gain the experience in order to truly understand what is worth concern.  I learned a little bit more about the nature of frustration, more about how Charlotte reacts to weather changes, and how to trust the Lord in all situations (like when the goat doesn't eat!).

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6&7