How "We" Make It Work
Writing for the
Red Prairie Dust Magazine is holding me accountable. A peek at this quarter's article which allowed me to share thoughts on How I Make It Work...
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A large white marble cross overlooks our family cemetery, Isaiah 40:32 is
engraved upon it. “They that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as
eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, walk and not faint...” I suppose I
try to follow that scripture. I know I don’t make anything work alone. I don’t
know much but He has allowed me to experience a lot. We’re a team. As a
fifth-generation ranch women born into a closeknit Christian family, I grew up
underfoot a host of extended family that included both sets of grandparents,
aunts, uncles, and lots of ranch hands that influenced me in all kinds of ways
every single day. I married my easy going, ornery, romantic at heart high school
sweet heart and became the mother of four wonderful inquisitive stairsteps and
eventually a grandmother to 10 beautiful grandkids. I have had the opportunity
to care for my aging grandparents and parents. My blessed journey has not been
without its turbulence. I have made tons of blunders along the way, for the most
part I’ve learned from those mistakes and garnered some wisdom. I’ll attempt to
share some insight on dealing with the things that have mattered most to me:
family, our ranch, church, community and our country and the freedoms we’ve
enjoyed. Here are 10 thoughts in no particular order:
Each morning I try to wake up early so I can spend time with the Lord asking Him
to “order my steps” His instruction manual covers everything from husbands,
wives, kids, health, business, government dealings etc. etc. etc. Traversing
this life without God’s word is like crossing a bridge with no sides…at
night…with no lights. Read the manual so you can safely cross over.
2. MI CASA
ES SOUS CASA I love people and sharing meaningful relationships with others. In
a world where we’ve lost touch with each other and often times reality I think
forming strong friendships is important. I love my home and have tried to create
a warm welcoming atmosphere for family and friends. Although we live several
miles from town, our kid’s friends usually found their way to our house. Food
cooking, music playing, crafts creating, lots of animals, hugs and room to roam,
I guess it was a safe simple place to land. Our door continued to stay open as
our grandkids grew. It’s remains open.
3. USE IT UP WEAR IT OUT MAKE IT DO OR DO
WITHOUT I am an organized hoarder by compulsion, and an improvisor by necessity.
We live 10 miles from town, 45 from a Walmart. I stock up heartily, I’d rather
have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Hungry kids and ranch
hands, and an extended family that might drop in on a moment’s notice kept me on
my hunter-gathering toes. Little goes to waste, I look at everything as having
value, an apple, a slice of bread, a bowl of leftover beans. I have always
prepared meals from a “what can I turn what’s in my frig into supper, dinner or
breakfast” view. For decades my garden has provided a bounty of fresh nutritious
fruits and vegetables that I freeze, can or dry. Need something? I probably have
it and can usually find it for you.
4. CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATER; GET R
DONE /b> On starting and completing any idea, task or deadline take one bite at a
time. You can’t eat an elephant whole. Start with the smallest task, finish it
then work your way through the rest. Don’t wait for “better days”. As farmers
and ranchers, we know there’s truth in Ecclesiastes 11: 4 “he that observeth the
wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. We
understand there’s no easy way around bad days. Crops get “dusted in” during
droughts, cattle get fed and ice broken during negative temps, cattle get
gathered off busy highways at 3 a.m. We just get to it.
5. PEACEKEEPER OR PATRIOT DEFENDER? Whether it’s family, church, school or whatever squabbles,
disagreements and even knockdown drag outs happen. Remember as Christians we are
on the same team; God wants us to win. Are egos and emotions involved or has the
devil slipped in presenting WOKE culture into your church, school or city
council? Ask for discernment and courage. If it’s the former the Lord loves a
peacekeeper, be one. Kind words of encouragement heal. Remember you can’t change
others, but we can pray. My dad who served on many state and local civic and ag
boards once said, “you can’t turn a cowdog into a bird dog” That’s always stuck
with me when dealing with people. Enjoy who they are and try your best to work
with them.If it’s the later be brave and stand up for your God given rights and
freedoms it’s your duty.
6.EAGLES SOAR PIGS WALLOW, BE AN EAGLE Replace envy
and jealousy with an attitude of joy for another person’s success. Listen and
look you might just learn something from their successes. If you’ve been
offended let it roll off like water on a duck’s back. If you find yourself
wrapped in controversary, stand, state your case, shine a light, if need be on
the misinformation, then move on. Leave no room for grudges or gossip, remember
to believe some of what you see, none of what you hear. Years ago I held a firm
grudge against a teacher that had sent a letter identifying everything wrong
with my first grader. I read and reread it and fumed for years, finally I threw
it away. We later became good friends. Let go and let God fill the potholes
. 7.
TORTOISE OR HARE JUST FINISH THE RACE The Proverbs 31 woman is a hard act to
follow. I knew that I’d have to take care of myself if I was to keep up with
this virtuous woman living a 21st century ranch life. So I started running. I’m
a tortoise. 25 years ago I chose a pair of good running shoes over HRT and I
never looked back. Participating in 5K’s, 10 K’s, ½ Marathons, triathlons and
even a try at the 400-meter swim at this year’s Oklahoma Senior Games has helped
me stay in shape physically and mentally. I rarely win, but I finish. Observing
those who finished life’s race victoriously has taught me to pace for patience,
persistence, and consistency. Fast can sometimes be last.
8.THINGS TURN OUT BEST FOR THOSE WHO MAKE THE BEST OF THE WAY THINGS TURN OUT We can control our
attitudes but that’s about it. We think we are in control; we’re not. Farmers
and ranchers know this well. We are swept along in different directions never
knowing exactly where a day will carry us. It’s good to have a stash of
motivation. Here are some of my favorites: a...
Think your problem is unique? Nope.
“There’s nothing new under the sun” Eccl 9:1-10 b... Tempted? “God will give you an
out; a way to escape temptation” 1 Corinthians 10:13 c... "My yoke is easy and my
burden is light” When others ramble on with “foolish controversies and endless
genealogies” remember this: the children have it, we are to come as a little child, so don’t add confusion to God’s word or stifle His grace.
d...“Always We Begin Again” I’m not a nun, and I don’t know a monk but I love this saying passed down to us
from St. Benedictine. e... Be content “There is no better than Here” f... Learn to laugh;
at yourself and with others because a cheerful heart is good medicine
Proverbs 17:22 f... Confused about a decision? Pray for guidance then do the next
right thing. g... “We will use what we have, complete our task and do it now” I read
a similar quote decades ago in a biography on George Washington Carver, I’ve yet
to find it. This concept stuck but the exact words escaped me.
9. REMEMBER WHEN?
History is important. Understanding the past helps us travel the present
shedding a light on solutions and ideas encountered by our ancestors making our
trip a little easier. As long as I can remember, at the end of the day, my dad
journaled. I have those journals, over 70 years’ worth. I inherited that
passion. For decades I’ve scribbled on calendars, bits of paper anything handy
to jot down a funny saying, idea or crazy happening. Those thoughts eventually
made their way into a journal. Story listening was engrained in me. I had both
sets of grandparents and my folks’ recounting times of war, the depression, plow
mules, outhouses and no electricity. Today I have my own; threatening nuclear
attack reminders, tuck and duck under your desk. My heart still jumps when I
hear the “this is a test, it’s only a test” followed by the long threatening
siren like beep. I remember party lines, taking off through the pasture bareback
no permission no supervision, the smell of popcorn and the taste of Charm
suckers offered at the local movie theaters, and a time before seatbelts. As
censoring and information control becomes very real your story matters today
more than ever. Document it. Share it.
I love to share...my stuff, my money, experiences, my faith and love of God and much much more. I don't mind opening up my home, my lif...
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