Thoughts from a wise weathered cowboy who’s felt the dust of many rides and gathered lessons along the way

 

 Thoughts from a wise weathered cowboy who’s felt the dust of many rides and gathered lessons along the way

I spent many a lone hour out on dusty trails, riding with nothing but my faithful horse for company. To an unobservant eye, I might have appeared idle, yet every mile carried its own lesson. Out there, in the silence of vast, open country, the very act of riding became a quiet sermon—a reminder that solitude, when embraced, is a canvas upon which God paints wisdom.

The daily work was often arduous—mending fences, irrigating parched fields, and tending the ranch with steadfast care. Yet within these labors lay a gentle truth: that through honest toil and reverence for the land, a man’s character is forged. Each swing of the plow and each repair of a broken rail echoed an ancient promise: “And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap” (Galatians 6:9).

But it was the rides that truly nourished my soul—a journey where the body moved steadily and the spirit roamed free. Beneath a boundless sky, I learned to hear the voice of God in the whispering wind over the hills, in the resounding bolt of lightning splitting the heavens, and softly, in that squirrel I watched scamper among the branches. Nature spoke in subtle tones, confirming that every creature and every breeze is part of a divine design.

In a world that rushes headlong into chaos, we are called to a more deliberate pace. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) reminds us that there is wisdom in waiting and reflection—moments to ponder our deeds, to consider how we’ve treated our neighbors, our livestock, even our own souls. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31) serves as a constant guide to kindness and justice in every action.

There is a profound peace in this measured rhythm of life. I recall dismounting on a quiet hilltop in the soft heat of the afternoon, removing my saddle, and simply watching my horse graze on wild onions. In that stillness, the beauty of God’s creation revealed itself in every rustle of the grass and every murmur of the wind. Even the skeptic finds reason to wonder, for truly “the worlds were framed by the Word of God” (Hebrews 11:3).

Through many rides, both gentle and rugged, I learned that there is a right way and a reckless way to steer one’s life. A cowboy may shout and startle his cattle into motion, but a true cowman—tempered by dust and time—guides his herd with a steady, unhurried hand. He gathers what is scattered with quiet persistence, allowing nature and destiny to meet, then, with firm trust in the Almighty, nudges them in the desired direction. This, I’ve come to understand, is not merely a method of wrangling cattle but a blueprint for living in harmony with God’s will.

Remember, the journey of life is not a mad dash but a purposeful, measured ride. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23), urging us to treasure each deliberate stride across the vast landscapes of our days. So, take heart from an old cowboy who’s known both the fury of a storm and the calm of a quiet sunset—work slowly, think deeply, and live as one guided by the steady hand of divine providence.

May these words remind you that even in the solitude of a long, dusty ride, there is a symphony of wisdom echoing from the heart of God's creation.