Out Our Way: Calving season - Matthew 10:24-31

Out our way, the month of February is one of intense sacrifice and labor, for it is typically calving season. Us “sunshine” cowboys who just ride round ups and check the herds in the spring summer and fall usually are spared the February trials and leave that to the real deal cowboys and ranchers.

Alberta Clippers love calving season and make it a favorite time for bringing greetings from the Arctic Circle; the snow can be deep and the temperatures, especially at night, are brutal. Yet the rancher will brave the storms, cold and hardships to be out these checking the herd and often assisting in the birth of some calf that got twisted up inside mama and needs help getting out. More than a few times, you will see these folks carrying a newborn back to the ruck and into the barn to keep them warm until they are strong enough to get back home. Oh yes, I loved wearing the chaps and hat and riding ole Doc up and down the ridge line checking fence and cattle — but my cowboying was limited to the easy stuff. The real deal cowboy does it all.

Jesus reminds us that God, like the real-deal cowboy, never quits on us, although we don’t always know it. Like the newborn calf, we often are surrounded by the howling winds and destructive storms of an unpredictable life. Bad times come, as well as good, and we all must endure the “clippers” as well as the “chinooks.” But we are not alone. We are not forgotten!

Be blessed and be a blessing

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write “Out Our Way.” He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].