Out Our Way: I'm right here ... - John 14:1-3

Out our way, you learn that often our greatest dangers come from within. Panic and terror can do far more harm that the actual threat. It was out on the Empire Ranch in what we called "Wyobraska" where I started riding, and because of my size, I was given a large Morgan mare named Autumn. Autumn was not only big, but fast and had incredible endurance. Her owner, Cecil, entered her in a 50 mile cross-country run, and as he weighed well over 300 pounds, Autumn had a big job ahead of her. Even so, when they reached the halfway point and the vet was checking all the horses he accused Cecil of cheating, because Autumn had run the whole way and wasn't even breathing hard. 

Anyway, Autumn was "my" horse on my first ride in the sand hills of the Wyobraska area with a group of other tenderfeet riders. I had to rein her in as she liked to run, and Elsie, our trainer, rode beside me encouraging me and telling me "you can do it." I was more than a little nervous, but knowing she was there gave me confidence. For the first hours we did nothing more than trot a bit and stay together, but after a bit I drifted. I was amazed to see golden eagles in the area and quite a few rattlesnakes that heard - or felt - us coming and quickly slithered off the trails into the brush. Well, I fell behind because I was exploring the area. A large boulder out on the flats drew my attention, especially when it grew wings and took off over my head. Golden eagles are big!

Elsie saw I was getting away from the group and called to me and Autumn, and Autumn knew her voice. Immediately she turned and took off like that eagle. Unfortunately, I almost did not, for her sudden turn and burst of speed lifted me out of the saddle and I found I was hanging on to the saddle horn and sliding towards the dirt. But Elsie saw and was beside me in a few moments shouting, "You can do it!" I had indeed planned to give up and fall off, but my heel was on the cantle, I still had the horn, and despite my horizontal position on the side of Autumn as she plunged ahead at full gallop, I was able to somehow get my left foot back in the stirrup. Every bounce as Autumn thundered ahead gave me some momentum and in time, as Elsie rode beside me shouting "You can do it!" I regained the stirrup, used Autumn's motion to pull myself up by the horn, slide my right leg over and eventually found the stirrup on the other side, and regained my seat. They were split reins so Autumn didn't trip over them and eventually I managed to regain them as well. Back in the saddle again, I was back in control. But Elsie riding beside me to encourage me and help me gave me the courage and energy to keep going.

  Knowing Elsie was there gave me confidence as well as guidance back when I first started riding, and Charlie was always there for me as well when working the herds in the Bear Paws. It is amazing how knowing someone has your back can make all the difference.

It is interesting how Jesus spoke of the Lord as "Abba" - Papa - and spoke of humanity as His children and His beloved. A king may say he "loves" his subjects, but few ever show it. Politicians claim to serve the people, but, strangely, how he or she tends to only seek the benefit of a select few. But few emperors, kings, presidents, senators, judges, etc ignores their kids? The most powerful humans are limited because, regardless of how powerful, they are still human. But "Abba" is not limited.

John quotes Jesus reminding us that we are not "creatures" or "playthings" nor even interesting experiments, but His children! And "papa" cares what happens to us.

In the wild ride as we are barely hanging on, He rides beside us and says, "I am here. You can do it!" And behold, we can! As we slide off, He is there to help us to crawl back up and get in the saddle again, for He does not simply want us to stay safe, He wants us to learn to ride. 

Are you barelyu hanging on? Do you hear hoof beats racing to catch up to you and a voice calling, "I am here. Hang on! You can do this!"

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].