Mid-week Devotional:
Week of August 2, 2026
Scripture for this week’s Mid-week Devotional comes from the Old Testament book of Psalms, Psalm 139:1-2.
Hear the Word of God.
“1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.”
This is God’s word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
When my husband and I arrived in Minnesota at the end of June we began feeding the 3 steers here on the property where my husband and I are staying. We feed them twice a day; morning and late afternoon. When we first began feeding them, we would pour their feed into a trough that was right next to a fence. We never had to get inside their pen. They are big animals with each of them weighing over 1000 lbs. The biggest one is black. The next biggest is tan with a white face and the smallest one is also black. The smallest one has horns but not just normal horns. One of his horns curves up and the other one curves downward. I named him Mr. Pincher.
Growing up I had the task of caring for my older brother’s flock of sheep. I always talked to the sheep because it helped the animals remain calm when I was in their pen with them. So, when we started feeding the steers it was natural for me to start talking to them.
A couple weeks ago my brother opened a gate that gave the steers access to a 2-acre area with a barn in it. The steers can go in and out of the barn to graze on the grass whenever they want. One day Mr. Pincher came walking out of the barn with a string from a hay bale wrapped around his horns that hung down across his face. I knew we needed to get the string off of him before it got more tangled around his head. So, I began talking softly to him as I walked slowly towards him. Remember he weighed at least a thousand pounds. He didn’t move. He just kept looking at me. When I got close enough to him, I reached out my hands all the while talking softly to him and unwrapped the twine from his horns. I kept talking softly to him as I turned and walked away. His response was to just stay where he was. He didn’t chase me or even shake his head.
As I think back to what occurred with the steer, I have been reminded that when I get “tied up” in knots over an event in my life I am to always turn to God who is present beside me.
I have been reminded that God is always listening to my thoughts and responding with words of guidance and unconditional love.
I have been reminded that each day is filled with opportunities to respond to the needs of all God’s creation if I take time to pause, to be still, and listen to God’s directions.
In the days ahead:
It is my prayer that you remember that God is always present and always listening.
It is my prayer that when someone in need enters into your life may you reach out to help them with love and grace that they too may come to believe that God is there beside them.
I will be praying for you.
Peace be with you.
AMEN.