Making Decisions, and Setting Priorities

 

In 2015, when we first got started with goats, we had one goal in mind: fresh milk.

Fast forward to 2022 and I realize now I lost sight of what my priority was. Instead I got sucked into the world of goat competition, conformation, dairy strength, and so on.  

I'm not saying those things aren't important!  I love looking at these beautiful goats.  But these goats are beautiful regardless of how they are built, what the udder looks like, and how much milk they give. That udder with weak attachments still makes that delicious milk to nourish my family. How pathetic that we have taken our own human vanity and expected animals to be "perfect" as well. (Disclaimer: this is personal conviction.) 

But at the end of the day, most people can't afford a goat that costs $600, $700, or $1000, much less a goat that costs $300.  Let's be serious.  

How many people need come to my door asking if I have goats for sale because they have a need for self sufficiency?  How many people need to see the price tag and turn away discouraged before I realize that I am being greedy for gain?

In Virginia, I sold my goats cheap ($200 or less for a doe).  Why?  Because I know what it is like to want or need something and not be able to have it. Why in the world would I think that moving here to a much poorer state, people would be able to pay more?  And why would my goats suddenly be of more value? 

Truth is, they aren't. They are animals.  Our animals should not take on a higher status than those human beings around us who are simply trying to make ends meet. 

Over and over again I have come to the conclusion that the Spirit is leading me to compassion.  Over and over again I get sucked into the world of herd improvement when I know I can't afford it.  Much better to have 20 goats of mediocre "strength" than a herd of ten expensive goats I can't sell in my area.