Random thoughts for the day…
Moms are like water buffalo.
No seriously. We are. Or we should be. So it might be an unusual “mom” post. But bear with me…no one ever accused me of thinking like a normal human.
Moms are like water buffalo.
No seriously. We are. Or we should be. So it might be an unusual “mom” post. But bear with me…no one ever accused me of thinking like a normal human.
A large social herd
Water buffalo are social animals. They tend to hang out in herds. They have amazing memories and remember those who hurt them in the past and those who they trust. I think this is the most common need of moms - to have friends they trust. Way too many of us have been hurt by moms we thought were our friends. We’ve been attacked and wounded by people we thought were like us - women trying our best to navigate life and everything it might throw at us. Or maybe you were that mom. Maybe you’re the one that made the comment, or gossiped and wounded and you’re regretting it. You’re holding onto the pride of pretending to be right because you don’t want to back down, but deep inside, you’re lonely. Even if you’re an introvert, like I am, you long for connection. You innately want that companionship that a friend offers. Someone who has your back, who gets what you’re going through.
Water buffalo are social animals. They tend to hang out in herds. They have amazing memories and remember those who hurt them in the past and those who they trust. I think this is the most common need of moms - to have friends they trust. Way too many of us have been hurt by moms we thought were our friends. We’ve been attacked and wounded by people we thought were like us - women trying our best to navigate life and everything it might throw at us. Or maybe you were that mom. Maybe you’re the one that made the comment, or gossiped and wounded and you’re regretting it. You’re holding onto the pride of pretending to be right because you don’t want to back down, but deep inside, you’re lonely. Even if you’re an introvert, like I am, you long for connection. You innately want that companionship that a friend offers. Someone who has your back, who gets what you’re going through.
Water and mud
Ok, this one isn’t serious. But come on. Water buffalo love the water. They roll around in mud to clean themselves and rid themselves of pesky annoyance. Have you ever been to a pool in the summer? Herds of moms and young. Girls nights with masks or beauty treatments? Ever seen a group of bridesmaids at a salon before a wedding? I’m telling you, water buffalo.
Ok, this one isn’t serious. But come on. Water buffalo love the water. They roll around in mud to clean themselves and rid themselves of pesky annoyance. Have you ever been to a pool in the summer? Herds of moms and young. Girls nights with masks or beauty treatments? Ever seen a group of bridesmaids at a salon before a wedding? I’m telling you, water buffalo.
Expensive and valuable
You feel like you’re only good for washing dirty socks, playing taxi driver and maintaining a constant restaurant for people who don’t like the food. You’re just a big black cow. But moms, you’re so so much more than meets the eye. We are the most educated generation of moms. Ever. We have more choices, more information, more ways to trip up and feel completely over our heads than ever before. I know what it’s like to have a panic attack in Walmart standing in front of an entire AISLE of pens. We are overwhelmed and blasted from every side by our society. “Just a mom”, “I just stay home”…you are so much more.
You are the soul of your home. You are the influencer of the next generation. You might have the next President of the United States at your dinner table. That might be the next Billy Graham that is talking back to you. That sassy replica of yourself might see a seat at the Supreme Court one day. That kid the refuses to be potty trained (you know the one…that one that just looked you in eye and peed himself for the upteenth time today) might be the next Einstein. And maybe not. Maybe they will teachers, influencing generations to come. Maybe he grows up to hold a job and support his family and be a steady, honest, hardworking man. Maybe she will be a doctor that will hold the hands of the hopeless. You are so, so valuable. Right now you have more power, wield more influence than you may ever know. You are their backbone. Their sounding board. The bearer of words of life and encouragement, or destruction. Your words and actions and treatment of them over the next few years will impact them so greatly that it will change the entire course of their life for better or worse. You are not a big black cow. You, my dear friend, are a water buffalo.
You feel like you’re only good for washing dirty socks, playing taxi driver and maintaining a constant restaurant for people who don’t like the food. You’re just a big black cow. But moms, you’re so so much more than meets the eye. We are the most educated generation of moms. Ever. We have more choices, more information, more ways to trip up and feel completely over our heads than ever before. I know what it’s like to have a panic attack in Walmart standing in front of an entire AISLE of pens. We are overwhelmed and blasted from every side by our society. “Just a mom”, “I just stay home”…you are so much more.
You are the soul of your home. You are the influencer of the next generation. You might have the next President of the United States at your dinner table. That might be the next Billy Graham that is talking back to you. That sassy replica of yourself might see a seat at the Supreme Court one day. That kid the refuses to be potty trained (you know the one…that one that just looked you in eye and peed himself for the upteenth time today) might be the next Einstein. And maybe not. Maybe they will teachers, influencing generations to come. Maybe he grows up to hold a job and support his family and be a steady, honest, hardworking man. Maybe she will be a doctor that will hold the hands of the hopeless. You are so, so valuable. Right now you have more power, wield more influence than you may ever know. You are their backbone. Their sounding board. The bearer of words of life and encouragement, or destruction. Your words and actions and treatment of them over the next few years will impact them so greatly that it will change the entire course of their life for better or worse. You are not a big black cow. You, my dear friend, are a water buffalo.
The circle
Water buffalo do an amazing thing when they are under duress. They circle. In the center, they put the wounded. They put the injured, the lame, the elderly, the young. The vulnerable. And then those who are strong and those who can fight, make a wall of protection around them. Left alone, outside the wall, they would be the target of the enemy. A lone calf. An injured member of the herd. They would be easy to take down. An easy meal to defeat. But within that wall, something incredible happens. They are protected. They are secured. They can heal without fear. Be vulnerable without defeat. They are supported until the time they have the strength and the fortitude to join the circle again, where they will work together to protect their own, just as they were protected. If you aren’t convinced that you need to be a water buffalo, you have never felt alone and vulnerable. You’ve never felt outside the herd or felt like there was nothing standing between you and pain.
We NEED to be water buffalo. We need to seek out the wounded and the vulnerable and circle around them. We need to see that mom that feels like she’s on her last thread of sanity. We need to see that mom who’s been injured and attacked. We need to see that mom who’s vulnerable to depression or anger and come along side them and walk with them till they’re strong enough to help fight for each other too. We need to watch for the alone. For those who have wandered away from the herd and are trying to go it alone. They’re vulnerable. And if that’s you, you need to look for a herd. You need to find a circle. Women who will laugh, cry and pray with you. Women who have your back.
Water buffalo do an amazing thing when they are under duress. They circle. In the center, they put the wounded. They put the injured, the lame, the elderly, the young. The vulnerable. And then those who are strong and those who can fight, make a wall of protection around them. Left alone, outside the wall, they would be the target of the enemy. A lone calf. An injured member of the herd. They would be easy to take down. An easy meal to defeat. But within that wall, something incredible happens. They are protected. They are secured. They can heal without fear. Be vulnerable without defeat. They are supported until the time they have the strength and the fortitude to join the circle again, where they will work together to protect their own, just as they were protected. If you aren’t convinced that you need to be a water buffalo, you have never felt alone and vulnerable. You’ve never felt outside the herd or felt like there was nothing standing between you and pain.
We NEED to be water buffalo. We need to seek out the wounded and the vulnerable and circle around them. We need to see that mom that feels like she’s on her last thread of sanity. We need to see that mom who’s been injured and attacked. We need to see that mom who’s vulnerable to depression or anger and come along side them and walk with them till they’re strong enough to help fight for each other too. We need to watch for the alone. For those who have wandered away from the herd and are trying to go it alone. They’re vulnerable. And if that’s you, you need to look for a herd. You need to find a circle. Women who will laugh, cry and pray with you. Women who have your back.
Be a water buffalo. Find a water buffalo. Make a herd.
PS If you’re interested in thinking this through more, I’d encourage you to look up the following verses. What do they tell you about being and finding water buffalo?
Ecc. 4:9-10
Gal 6:2
Prov 13:20
James 4:11
1 Cor 13:4-7
Gal 6:2
Prov 13:20
James 4:11
1 Cor 13:4-7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=63&v=o1S8h3RBkKU&fbclid=IwAR2P3RrB8S1fVvrpDLdtpnC_Vp-BDU1I48LfRL91KORbzqRHt7Trk1sT2ls
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