Trusting

The inevitable first response to a herd of alpacas is laughter. They have such comically sweet expressions with the mop of Beatle-like hair atop their heads, that you just have to chuckle when they all stretch their curious faces atop unending necks towards you.

We had searched for several hours unsuccssfully to locate the farm the day before. Instead of finding alpaca, we had a lovely drive through gorgeous hills and fields in the Endless mountain section of Pennsylvania. But my dad was certain we would go back to Charlotte unfulfilled if we did not find the Alpaca farm, and so we set out again the next day to scour hill and dale for alpaca.

This time, armed with my droid Navigation system, we easily found the farm. It was nestled in the middle of nowhere, and the last thing one would expect to see there were a herd of llama like creatures that normally roam the Andes, Ecuador, and Bolivia. They seemed happy to be in Pennsylvania, however and I suspect, happy to be wherever there was food and shelter. The sweet owner let us in the pen and we were surrounded by alpaca of every shade from white to black. As we were petting the impossibly dense wool, the owner told me that alpaca have no natural defenses. Entire herds have been wiped out by a pack of dogs. They are gentle and peaceful creatures, whose worst offense is they spit at times, when disagreeing over rights to a female alpaca.

"Can't they kick?" I asked, glancing at their cloven hooves.
"Yes, but that isn't much good against predators."
Their only hope, I thought, was that the predator would be overcome by laughter and delight as we were upon seeing them. Sadly, in a fallen world, this is ofen not a satisfactory defense.

It really was a wonderful day, petting the gentle alpaca. I wondered about a creature created with so little ability to protect itself from a vicious world. Yet if I had to use one word to describe the expression on their faces, it would be trust. Those huge dark eyes, in the soft fuzzy face fringed with a mop of bouncy hair between their ears, were filled with trust. They would be cared for and protected, and in return, they would gladly give their luxurious wool.

It is not a bad way to live. I suppose if a pack of coyote came along, they might not be able to muster enough spit to shame the predators into giving up...but in the interim, trusting in the goodness and provision of life must contribute to the gentle, peaceful demeanor they all wore. In this respect, I would not mind being an alpaca.

Psalm 56:3 NIV

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

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