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Good Sunday Mornin

S

Shortgrass

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Sep 25, 2006
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2,407
Location
Eastern Colorado
I sure enjoy the pictures of the different country where people ranch. The mountain country is not only scenic, but the shelter it offers is obvious. Tap's country is well sheltered also. For those of you who only know the sandhills of Nebraska through Soapweed's pictures, it is much better sheltered than it appears. There are holes in those hills where a cow or calf doesn't know if the wind blowing or not. Now our ranch (Eastern Colorado) is another story; it is pretty wide open and flat. We have to construct windbreaks, or plant trees or something. Our cattle can tell if the wind howls! Shelter is vital for the well being of livestock, whether natural or constructed. It means condition if nothing else, but at times it is critical for survival. None of us like those old killer storms that arise, but we all have to deal with them at times, like it or not. Some situations "blow up" in life that we would never choose, and would avoid if given the option, but we have to deal with them. Sometimes I think that Christians have the attitude that God removes those tragic circumstances from our lives. He doesn't seem to do that for me, but He has always offered a shelter in the time of storm that helps me deal with those circumstances. Even when I have brought difficulties on myself, He has been there to help me deal and learn. Genesis says that the Spirit "hovered over" the face of the deep. The picture of God hovering over his creation like a mother bird hovers over her flock is a comfort when I am faced with a storm in my life. God really is into caring for us—what an awesome thought! Have yourselves a good Sunday morning and a good rest of the week.
 
Good point, Shortgrass. With calving looming immediately in front of us, it is nice to know that He will be by our side, giving us the strenth to carry on. It is never easy, but if we take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one moment at a time, and pray for His guidance and wisdom, we shall prevail. Thank you for your reminder. Everyone have a great Sunday.
 
Thanks again for the encouragement. Shortgrass. Reminds me of Psalm 23. All you fine folks out there, if you don't know it by heart, it would be a good thing to read today. What a blessing to have the Lord as our faithful shepherd.
 
Again, thank you so much for the time and effort you put in this. It gives me something to think about the rest of the week.

Sundancer, MCG and I know the 23rd Psalm by heart, I use it when I'm troubled.
 
Here's something I thought I'd share with you all, and knew it would fit in with the "Good Sunday Morning" thread.

It was written by our Chaplain - Sandy Johnson NBHA Tx 30

COINCIDENCE????? NO SUCH THING!

Last year, when I first began barrel racing, two friends and myself embarked on a journey to one of the World Barrel Racing events in Alvarado, Texas. On the way, we attended the NBHA #30 race at the outdoor arena in Brenham. I won a little money and normally that would tickle me pink (since I was just a beginner), but, there was a cloud hanging over me that day. My husband informed me that after I left for the trip, some people had bought my horse "Little Boy". I really didn't want to sell him....but I had agreed to do it because I had three other horses that I ride actively and I just didn't have time for him...he was going to waste, He was so awesome....kind, dependable, and cowy. Surely he deserved a chance to have a real job...however, I became selfish and didn't want to let go. Well, a deal is a deal and I was just lucky that they picked him up while I was gone or else I probably would have hung onto the fender and created a scene...I just adore all of my animals. My two buddies tried their best to console me and I took a deep breath and knew that it wasn't right to spoil the trip with my sorrow....I could always cry later.

After we left Brenham and headed towards Alvarado, we decided to make a stop at a convenience store and get some ice and junk food. Inside the store, there was the most prim and proper lady that I had seen in a very long time. I aged her to be around 50 years old. Her hair was carefully styled and she was meticulously dressed, including driving gloves. She approached us and asked if her husband could please pet our horses. Although this seemed a little strange, we obliged and went outside to the trailer to safeguard and make sure all went well.

If only you could have been there to understand the magnitude of what happened next. The very dignified lady assisted her husband out of their Cadillac....he could barely walk. This is their story....the gentleman was a high ranking officer in the military and had been assigned to active duty and also was involved with the horse brigade. He loved horses. While serving our country, this fine man was exposed to chemicals that had cancer causing carcinogens....his body had succumbed and now he was dying. They had just left the doctors office and learned of his prognosis that very day. I'll never forget how brave he was...you would have never known that he had received this earthshaking news...his loving wife wept. So did we.

Because I do not believe in coincidences, I knew the Lord had placed us in their path and that we were to allow him to smell the scent of a horse and feel the nuzzle of their nostrils. For a horse lover, this is the equivalent to a warm hug. In addition, we felt led to pray together....and we did....it was beautiful. My self pity evaporated. I'll never forget watching that big Cadillac roll away and knowing that my friends and I had just witnessed and been a party to something so special and powerful. As we continued our travels, we talked about the Lord and His will for our lives. What a blessing.

I truely believe that this event did as much for me as it did for that very ill man. Since then, I have learned to count my blessings and when things don't go my way, I try to remember that I have been given so much....how can I complain? I hope you will make your gratitude list also....it sure puts things into perspective. I find that life is more fulfilling when I am grateful instead of questioning why I don't have more, do more, or receive more. I have exactly what the Lord has allowed, and there are NO COINCIDENCES. It is all part of His plan. No matter what we do to prepare....whether it be at home, work, or on the back of a horse, ultimately it is all in His hands. Blessings reward us for our obedience...trials test of for faith...illness tests us for trust....there is no room for doubt. Knowing this has even crossed over into my barrel racing efforts. Yippee
 
Wow! Lily, thanks for the read. God will see us through our difficult times. He has a higher plan and we get to be part of that. The "Line Rider", a publication FCC puts out had this thought that fits in too:

If God had a fridge, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring, a sunrise every morning.
When you want to talk, He is ready to listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, but chose your heart.
Face it, friend..He is crazy about you.

The most profound of all Christian truth is in the words of a child's song.........."Jesus loves me, this I know"
 
That Jersey is one good tale to tell. Thanks for sharing it fits perfectly with Shortgrass's Sunday morning, but would have made my eyes water anytime anyplace. I need a breath of fresh air
 

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