Ebb and Flow

Constant momentum beneath a tranquil façade

            Awakened and stirred to a frenzied pitch

With relentless increase its power overwhelms

            Unleashed and remorseless its hunger fulfills

 Then nobly retreating at an unhurried pace

             Slipping back into the guise of serenity

 Its ambitious desires known only by God

             Hindered, barely, by the feeble arms of earth

 

 

Sometimes The Simplest Explanation Is The Best

Being a flatlander from Illinois on a Colorado ranch I had a lot to learn.  One of my teachers was the lead wrangler.  He made his living with horses, working the ranch in the summer, guiding hunts in the winter and blacksmithing year round.  My classrooms were the tack room and the barn where he explained the different types of halters, saddles and leads.

 

He knew every horse on the ranch and talked about each like they were old friends.  Doc, the oldest, was still used for beginners.  He would fall asleep saddled at the rail waiting for his rider and his top speed was a cha-cha-cha – walk two steps and trot three, walk two steps and trot three.  General Patton was a large grey that was used in the lead position on rides when the creek crossings were at high water.  He just walked right in without hesitation and the other horses would follow. 

 

One of the wranglers was showing off his new horse tied to the corral fence next to the barn. As we passed by I commented on how beautiful it was.  My horse loving teacher took one look, shook his head, spit in the dirt (he was chewing tobacco) and said, “That horse is loco, pure and simple. (spit) I told him not to buy it and he went and did it anyway. (spit)  There’s gonna be trouble you wait and see. (spit)”  I started to duck under the fence rail to walk over and take a look but he caught my arm and said, “Don’t ever go near that animal”. He said it with such forcefulness  that I pulled back and decided to watch from a distance.

 

As if on cue, the new horse reared up on its’ hind legs neighing and throwing back its’ head with so much force that he pulled down the entire corral gate and part of the fence.  His owner looked stricken as he surveyed the damage.  My instructor, who was the resident expert, pushed back his hat, and said calmly, “(spit) I told you he was loco” and strolled away. 

The Great Matt or My Dad Walked On Water - Well Almost

Some memories seem to stay with you beyond the years and clutter of everyday

life. They remain vivid while others fade or disappear completely. Included in mine are
memories of my father that I seem to be able to relive in my mind as though they happened yesterday.

My dad came from a large family. He was not the oldest or the youngest but I am pretty sure he

was the one that commanded the most attention. He described himself to his own family as
The Great Matt and told us all that he would live to be 100.  Whenever he saw an opportunity to prove his self-proclaimed greatness and shake things up a little he would grab it.

One Sunday afternoon, at our home by the river, a weekend picnic was in full swing. We heard the sound of Dad's car pull up after a quick trip to the grocery store for Mom.  Everyone was standing
or sitting near the waterfront watching the boats and talking when suddenly he came running
toward us at full speed.  He let out a whoop and ran straight for the seawall.  No one could
believe he was going to jump in with all his clothes on.  He never hesitated or slowed down
and it looked like he was planning to run right across to the other side.  Suddenly his feet left the
ground and it was as if for a few seconds he was suspended in midair.  There was silence as  we
all watched him drop straight down and waited for the inevitable splash. Instead of a splash came the sound of a full grown man landing, no crashing, into a row boat.  The water level was about
4 feet below the top of the wall so no one could see the boat that somehow my dad knew was there.  We stood stunned at the sound but before we could reach the seawall he popped his head over the top grinning from ear to ear.

I will never forget how, in just a few seconds, he took us all on a wild and joyful ride from

disbelief to laughter. That was the Great Matt.  We lost him at age 52 and history would tell you that a great part of his life was very difficult, but he had survived and thrived. His legacy to us was a joyful heart that defied adversity and dared others to join him.
I only hope that I honor him and my Heavenly Father by seizing every opportunity to
to continue that legacy.  Defying the odds and sharing the truth that some may not see, to  move them from disbelief to joy.

Even Then or When Having No Secrets is a Good Thing

Even when I mumble
Even when I whine
Even when I stamp my foot
And refuse to try

Even when I’m quitting
And turn to go my way
Even when the pity party held
Is in my name

Even then You listen
And You never leave my side
Even then You love me
Because You know the Why