Out Our Way: But I got old Doc

Out our way, long days are not uncommon — and even when it’s something you love doing, you can get tired. Charley and I had been pushing cows all day on Tiger Ridge and I do mean all day. I couldn’t see that it bothered Charlie, but I sure was feeling my age. My legs were aching from holding on as we raced up various ridges after strays — and, to be honest, when it comes to riding fast and hard over rough terrain, my “seat” was never the best to begin with.  And the saddle was not cushioned! Indeed my seat was sore!

I recall as we started back to the trailer, my back was aching, my head was aching, my legs were aching — and my … well, you know. My shirt and hat were soaked with sweat — thankfully no chaps as we weren’t playing in the thorns this time — and I was swaying a bit in the saddle from fatigue. But after a few moments, I discovered renewed energy starting to flow into me — and I realized it was from Doc. Those of you who ride know that in time, horse and rider communicate more with body language than with reins, spurs or quirts. Though Doc knows my vocal signals — the “tsk tsk”  for the trot and the “kissy sound” for the canter, etc. — the real communication flows back and forth in the simple physical connection of horse and rider. But this time it was Doc contacting me.

He knew where the trailer was and knew we were on the back trail and heading for home — and that knowledge perked him up, got the adrenaline flowing, the energy coming back.  His head went up a bit more, his gait quickened and he freshened up. And somehow that same “force” began to flow through me as well. I sat up straight instead of being slouched and round shouldered, my legs gripped firmly and I recovered my “seat” after a fashion so that I, too, began to freshen up. When we spotted the trailer and began the final descent from the hills, I had to hold Doc in lest he break into a lope — and it was hard because I was ready to run a bit as well.

I suppose old hands know all this and think nothing of it. This connection between horse and rider is as obvious to them as the color of the sky or the smell of the sage. But for the new guy it was something of a revelation. I told Charlie as we unsaddled and he just smiled in his knowing way — he had known about it for years. That’s part of the fun of having a greenhorn trail partner — watching them discover what you have seemingly always known. Charlie didn’t say much, but I sensed a “welcome to the club, pard” in that smile.

Two things struck me later as I pondered that experience after we loaded the horses and headed back to town. First, that as tired and worn out as I was, Doc was doing the real work and was taking care of me, and second, that Doc not only carried me but also passed some of that energy on. I wasn’t the same weak and worn out man I had been before — something new and powerful was passed on and that power now energized and transformed me.

Now, while I think this was a marvelous and even mystical experience, imagine what the disciples felt on the Day of Pentecost. Like me on Tiger Ridge, they were worn out, down and pretty much ready to give up. But what they were to learn, Someone else was going to carry them home, and more, revive and transform them.

From worn down, beat and helpless disciples, the Spirit of God descended upon them and transformed them into Apostles — men who were fearless, strong and powerful. Indeed, God encouraged them into the lope and they raced out of their hiding place into the center of town and began to loudly proclaim Christ — not only in Aramaic, but in Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian and who knows how many other languages or “tongues.” And countless people who had come to celebrate the Jewish festival of Pentecost in Jerusalem heard the Gospel boldly proclaimed in their own language.

They also saw power flowing from these formerly weak, frightened and disheartened men. And just as the sudden surge of energy Doc gave me when we sighted the trailer, so both native and foreigners — many who had been ignorant of Christ until then — suddenly felt that energy from God in these men and were also energized. 3,000 were baptized in one day, and the numbers never stopped. The same energy is still flowing to this day as the Gospel has spread throughout the Earth and continues to spread  for the same Spirit is still at work — energizing, encouraging, and guiding the faithful.

I confess I sometimes revert to feeling as  weak and worn out hombre  in the ministry as I was on the Tiger years ago — but then I recall that just as I had old Doc to carry me and revive me up there, so I can rely on  the Spirit of God to do even more in me, and in you and in us all. He will carry us home and not only revive us, but empower us. This is the Way of the Lord.

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Brother John Bruington and Doc encourage those who are weak and weary to take a moment to ask for the Spirit’s extra nudge and restoration. You won’t be a tenderfoot for long once you ask.