Bachin' With the Cowpokes

As the Cowboy’s Wife was on her way out the door for a few days away to teach a Professional Development, she mentioned that if I had any ideas for an article this week, I was welcome to write it. She rarely asks for help, though she keeps a number of plates spinning at any given moment, so I willingly stepped into the heel trap she had expertly thrown to volunteer for this effort. All that being said, I figured I would have some time in the office while the younger cowpokes took their naps.

Sometimes in all the troublesome spots and hectic demands on our schedule, the “why” we do this life can get muffled. I recently watched a short video called “The American Working Ranch,” that was extremely well done. I visited with the lead cowboy on a phone call years ago, and listening to him speak about ranching helped me remember my intentions for this life.

It’s not about us…it’s about the next generation. It’s about stewardship of the land, the water, the air. It’s about planning for the future. It’s about each generation passing it to the next. It’s about allowing the ranch to provide lessons to my sons so that when they are ready to move on, or come back, they have a toolbox full of experiences, abilities and reference points to help them excel as they navigate through life.

It’s about using the resources God has blessed us with to share his truth and grace with others. It’s about pursuing professionalism and excellence in our work even though many days there is no one else to see it. It’s about providing a life in which my family live and work together daily.

These things and more, I’ve been pondering on as I’ve been bachin’ it and taking care of the ranch with my cowpokes. It hasn’t been as streamlined or scheduled as our normal life. In fact, the Cowboy’s Wife would have been fit to be tied if she’d known the schedule the first day she was gone.

Late to nap, troublesome nap, had to wake the youngest one up from nap to load some cattle for a neighbor, then spent time feeding some cows and horses, which made us late for supper. I had to run around doing poultry chores while the younger ‘pokes ate their supper. Through it all those youngsters were having a grand time.

The only time there was really complaining, was the times I told them it was time to go inside. In fact, prior to nap, the third cowpoke assured me he wasn’t tired. “I still have enough energy to go home (from town) and fix everything that’s outside!”

Even though we were late, and everyone was tired, there was joy here on the ranch. The animals were provided for and there was some appreciation for the things that had been accomplished.

The next day, I managed to run the ship a little tighter. We did some chores and moved one bunch of cows before the older fellas needed to head to their violin lessons. Normally, we do things in a traditional manner and I’m spending that time on horseback. Although the third cowpoke again was confident saying he could ride a horse double with his little brother, I thought it best to shepherd them in the feed pickup to lead the cows, while the older cowpokes took care of the real cowboy work on horseback.

My culinary efforts may be found lacking when compared to that of my wife, but the boys all seemed to eat evening ice cream snack just fine, and tomorrow morning I’ll get them moving with steak and eggs. I will ask the Lord for wisdom, and then try to let Him lead. I will try to focus more on the opportunities the ranch provides to instill character into my cowpokes and less on the list of tasks to be done. We will enjoy our man time, and yet anticipate the arrival back home of the Cowboy’s Wife!