Out Our Way: Who? Me? - Hebrews 2: 6

Out our way, some folks' kindness and generosity astounds me. I remember when Charlie invited me to come "cowboy" with him the first time. I had no experience or skills, but Charlie took me under his wing anyway and brought me along. I probably was more of a burden than a help, but Charlie took me along anyway.

After 6 years riding with Charlie, I hope I eventually began to be of some use to him. I am sure there were plenty of others - folks who already knew how to ride and rope and work cows - that Charlie could have taken along, but he chose me. I remember when he first invited me and I thought, "Who? Me?" 

Now, if you could have seen what a chore it was for Charlie to take this greenhorn tenderfoot along, you might be amazed at such patience. He taught me how to load and unload a cantankerous and stubborn horse from the trailer. He taught me how to check the cinch after a few minutes because some horses fill their stomachs with air when you cinch them up, and after they let the air out, end up with a loose cinch. He also taught me a few choice words for a jughead horse that decided to "get cute" at a critical moment. There are numerous reasons why Charlie was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame a few years ago - but of all the accolades associated with his cowboying, I put "teacher and pard" at the top of the list.

Although I will never be nominated for the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame - although I will always celebrate, thanks to Charlie, becoming a Montana cowboy - I hope to be "teacher and pard" to those around me as a disciple of Jesus. Indeed, there was an incident last week that really gave me hope I just might be on the right trail as both Christ's disciple and Charlie's pard. Due to all my lengthy illnesses and hospitalizations of last year, the store where I now work to support myself and my disabled son moved me from the heavy labor of hauling carts, being the janitor, freight hauler and "whatever you tell me to do, drill sergeant" to being the greeter at the mall door entrance to the store. The job is dull and standing on the concrete for hours on end is painful - but I get to hand out cute stickers to little kids. And that brings us to this story.

A beautiful little girl with Down Syndrome was wheeled into the store. Her condition made it hard for her to walk and she also had difficulty talking. But as a "sticker candidate," I leapt at the opportunity to give her one. Most kids are happy to get one, but she went way beyond that. She looked at me with a questioning eye and pointed to herself. -  "Who? Me?" - I nodded and pointed at the stickers and back at her. She pointed at the stickers and herself more vigorously. "WHO? ME?"  

I believe I may have been close to weeping as I just as vigorously nodded, and jabbed at the stickers and her: Yes! You! Long story short, she took the stickers and was delighted - but I was far more pleased than she. 

As we approach Easter we are faced with the incredible idea that God loves us so much that "he sent His only begotten Son." For the good and perfect folks? For the righteous and sinless? Nope! For you! Who? Me? Yup. You. Even less believable ... for me and that idiot who cut you off in traffic the other day, too.   

Now, given Charlie's skills and reputation - after all he is in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame - why would he make me his pard? Given Christ's sinless nature and sacred Being - why would He call me to be His disciple? Who knows - but there it is. It is not about deserving it - it is simply about accepting it.  

And what of you? As you read this, written by a man who clearly has no gifts, talent, or right to call himself a cowboy or disciple - and yet has been declared both by those whose "credentials" cannot be questioned ... do you begin to realize that you too are cherished, loved and called, even as I was? You aren't asked to "sign up" with any particular outfit, only saddle up and ride for the Boss. In time you will find where to "bunk," but first come ride. The rest will follow.

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].