Growing up next to my grandfather’s ranch in Oregon was a great experience. My grandfather was a horse trader and bought and sold livestock of all kinds. He trained working dogs and raised about 200 fighting chickens as well.
I never knew what he would bring home next. I was always interested in the new animals that I would find in the barn, especially on auction day. On auction day I wouldn’t waste any time after school. I would get to the barn as soon as possible to check the stalls to see what he might have brought home.
I was really excited one afternoon to find a big gelding in the first stall. He was a dark chestnut color and not very pretty, just big. He could have been a draft/quarter cross of some kind. My grandfather called him” Rowdy.” He was anything but rowdy. He was just big and slow.
I didn’t have a saddle that would fit him so I rode him bareback. He was way too tall for me to get up on his back so I was careful to only get off of him where there was a fence, big rock or vehicle that I could sidle him up close to so I could get on. One day I couldn’t find anything to get him close to, so while he was eating I stepped over his head and he lifted me up. I crawled down his neck, turned around and was ready to ride.
Our neighbor Mr. Matthews came walking down the road one day while I was sitting on him. He asked me, “If my horse could run fast?” Knowing he couldn’t, after a second or two I said “No, but he can stand fast.” He just chuckled and walked on down the road. I felt kind of silly for my answer, but it was true.
Now that I’m older reflecting back on that day, I realize it’s not always about running fast. Sometimes it seems that all we do is run from one place to another, one meeting to the next and one event to the next, switching hats on the fly. One scripture verse I like, says to “stand fast in your faith, be self-controlled and alert.” In other words slow down!
With the holidays coming, step off the roller coaster for a time. Seek some quiet time alone and see what direction God is leading you. Get in touch with your inner self. “Stand fast” in your convictions, and remember who you are. Rope great. Thank you for your comments and prayer requests, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.