Out Our Way: Hats off

'Hallowed be Thy Name'

Out our way, the cowboy's hat is special. Notice I was specific here: the cowboy's hat and not simply a cowboy hat. A cowboy hat is something anyone can buy at the store right of the shelf. But a cowboy's hat - one that belongs to a specific cowboy and shows all the wear and tear that the years put on it - is different. It is his/her signature and testimony to all the rain, snow, sun, heat, freezing cold, dust, dirt and being stomped on while on the job. So indeed it is special.

That said, the hat is treated special. I remember reading a biography on a well-known cowhand in Montana everyone just called "Blue" who remarked that he seldom, if ever, took off his hat. When he got up in the morning, the hat went on first, and then the rest of his clothes. He wore his hat indoors and out, kept it on at the table, in restaurants and theaters and the like because cowboys seldom ever took their hats off. But there were exceptions.

Blue took off his hat when he was introduced to a lady. He took it off when the National Anthem was played or at a parade when the flag went by, and he took it off on those rare occasions were he was in church.    

In the Lord's prayer is the statement: "Hallowed be thy Name." As I understand the old word "hallowed," it not only means to be held as sacred, but to be honored and treated with the greatest respect. 

The cowboy took of his hat to honor and respect the lady, to honor and respect his country and her flag, and to honor and respect his Creator, and "Trail Boss." Sadly, we don't see much of that these days. So many people show disrespect for women - and for men for that matter - and are celebrated for it. The days of national pride and respect for those who serve has been replaced by ridicule and open disrespect be "elitists" who proudly declare their hatred of this nation to the cheers of their minions. And rather than His Name being hallowed, The name of Jesus and the word "God" are desecrated and more commonly used as swear words.

Maybe, like "Blue," we need to "wear the hat" with pride, but be ready to take it off and show real depth of character - class - in a world that is running fearfully short these days. Maybe it's time for the real cowboys and cowgirls to how the way and "take off the hat" when the "elite dudes" will not.

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].