Out Our Way: All God's creatures got a place in the choir

Out our way, we know that every critter has its own special gift. In the old days, a cowhand had a string of horses and often they had special talents or gifts. This was a horse for roping strays; this one was long-winded for the trail; this one was quiet and calm for nighthawk duty, and so forth.

Now, old Doc was born and raised in the Bear Paws and his sisters were top barrel racers - fast, quick and sure-footed.

Goliath, on the other hand, was a tad slow, clumsy and often tripped over his own feet. But he was big and he was largely unflappable. Even that mountain lion that made him nervous when she came over the ridge toward us didn't panic him. Nervous, you bet - I was flat out scared - but he did not panic.

When Charlie and I were pushing stock, I often herded the bulls, as Doc was big enough to gain their respect. Maybe a smaller horse could have done the job as well, but I sure was glad Doc was 1,200-plus pounds and 16 1/2 hands high. Only had one bull act up a tad, but Goliath stood his ground and kept them moving.

I admire Doc for being Doc and not wanting or wishing he was someone else. Tough lesson for me, because I am often wishing I was more this or that instead of accepting that I am whom God made me to be.

Sometime last year a friend sent me a Youtube video of "Celtic Thunder" in which they performed a song called "A Place in the Choir." It's based on the 1st Corinthians passage in reminding us that no matter who we are, we all have our special "place in God's choir."

"Some sing low and some sing higher, some just sing on the telephone wire, and some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got now."

I was reminded of this last Sunday when I attempted to dedicate myself to some good spiritual reading, laying aside Tom Clancy and Stephen King for some early Christian writers. I was working through a section about the call to prayer and the importance of growing in my spiritual life through prayer.

It talked about some of the obstacles - the wandering mind, being too easily distrtcted, or just being too lazy to bother ... all of which hit home. For all are true in my case, as are a number of other failings.

But then, at the end of the chapter, a word of hope. The author suggested that developing the powerful prayer life he was writing about might be harder for some than others, and that some of us, devout as we try to be, may just still be too immature in our faith to develop such a closeness to God very rapidly. "But don't quit and don't give up!" Instead of beating myself up for the gifts I do not have or have not yet developed, he suggested I use the gifts I do have. For the believer who finds depth in prayer hard to manage, consider the other gifts like service, friendship, a cheerful smile and a helping hand.

Pray with your hands and feet if your soul is still too small, by looking around and cheerfully helping your neighbor, loving God by loving others - thinking and doing for them instead of only for myself. Hey! Even I can do that!

I will continue to pray as best I can and sometimes I actually manage to stay focused, just as Goliath has actually cut around a barrel without losing his footing - just not that often for either of us. I may never sing a solo, I will take my "place in the choir" and share the harmony. I will help that lady with the fussy kid by taking her grocery cart in for her so she doesn't have to worry about it. I will stop for that pedestrian who wants to cross the street in the middle and just wave them across with a smile. I will try to notice my neighbor and help where I can - gladly help when asked and volunteer when I am not. This I can do. It may not be a big deal, but right now that's my place in the choir.

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Doc and John Bruington will never be stars or standouts - but we have something to do that gives God pleasure. Bet you do, too.