Butchering Chops.......and Jesus?
Saturday was the day. Our pig was freezer bound with only one small problem. We became emotionally attached. As a family we have committed to raise our animals with love and respect and then when the time comes to be as humane as possible. We butchered one pig this spring but were holding on to Chops hoping to be able to breed her. She was huge! We figured about 600 lbs. Here she is with Charity 3 months ago:)
When we realized it wasn't going to work to breed her we knew it was time.
We got up early to get started. Bryan and I were hoping to get the worst done before the kids got up. We have one early riser so Triston was already up and about. We prayed before we started that God would give us strength to do what needed to be done. That He would calm us and Chops so that she wouldn't sense any tension or fear. Everything went fairly smoothly. Bryan killed her immediately with one shot while she was happily munching away. What struck me in the first few minutes after we killed her was this.
Love, sacrifice, blood, and grace. I realize that this may seem a little weird after just killing a pig but Jesus brought to my mind Hebrews 9:22b "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Blood and death is something that we avoid and yet are drawn to. If we have a cut we put a bandage on it so we don't bleed all over and make a nasty mess. Yet if we pass a car accident, we crane our necks to see what happened. What is it about blood and death that elicits such a strong emotion from us. We experience sorrow, pain, loss, joy, gratitude, and much more. I think that no matter our spiritual state our spirit longs for Jesus. Our souls search for him and the forgiveness that his blood brings. We long for the washing away of our guilt and the peace and assurance that he gives. Since there is no forgiveness without his blood we are emotionally drawn to seek after it.
I am grateful for Chops. I'm grateful that she gave her life for us, and that through her we will be well fed.
On a deeper level I am grateful for Jesus. I'm grateful for the blood that he shed to pay for my sin.
When we came in the house after butchering Chops our youngest daughter made this sign.
This is a great reminder that this life isn't all there is :) Jesus is waiting!
We got up early to get started. Bryan and I were hoping to get the worst done before the kids got up. We have one early riser so Triston was already up and about. We prayed before we started that God would give us strength to do what needed to be done. That He would calm us and Chops so that she wouldn't sense any tension or fear. Everything went fairly smoothly. Bryan killed her immediately with one shot while she was happily munching away. What struck me in the first few minutes after we killed her was this.
Love, sacrifice, blood, and grace. I realize that this may seem a little weird after just killing a pig but Jesus brought to my mind Hebrews 9:22b "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Blood and death is something that we avoid and yet are drawn to. If we have a cut we put a bandage on it so we don't bleed all over and make a nasty mess. Yet if we pass a car accident, we crane our necks to see what happened. What is it about blood and death that elicits such a strong emotion from us. We experience sorrow, pain, loss, joy, gratitude, and much more. I think that no matter our spiritual state our spirit longs for Jesus. Our souls search for him and the forgiveness that his blood brings. We long for the washing away of our guilt and the peace and assurance that he gives. Since there is no forgiveness without his blood we are emotionally drawn to seek after it.
I am grateful for Chops. I'm grateful that she gave her life for us, and that through her we will be well fed.
On a deeper level I am grateful for Jesus. I'm grateful for the blood that he shed to pay for my sin.
When we came in the house after butchering Chops our youngest daughter made this sign.
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