When I read Growing Up Colt by Colt McCoy a saying stuck with me, “The Hay Is In The Barn.” Colt confused many of his teammates when he said this in a pregame huddle, but I think it sure sums things up well. I’d like to get to the point where I can say The hay is in the barn and now we can get on with business. It’s kinda like saying we’ve done all we can do to prepare for what is ahead and the rest is up to us and God. Gotta meet Him halfway and He’ll take care of the rest (another favorite quote from Where The Red Fern Grows).
I found this post from a Cowboy Minister in Colorado and thought it well worth the repost. It’d do us well if more people had the attitude to turn things up to God, keep Him in mind in all things we do, and work to meet Him half-way. Just thought ya’ll would enjoy this. Be sure to check out more from Campfire Cowboy Ministries.
There was once a young cowboy who inherited a ranch. This ranch was not a large spread or even one that was desired by others. This cowboy tried his best to always do the right thing when others like him did the opposite. He knew he didn’t have much but with the Lord’s help he could be successful.
This cowboy got up every morning and prayed to God. He asked for the same thing over and over. He never gave up that God would give him what he asked for. He worked daylight until dark. He never worked all that hard, just steady. Oh, there were times when he was gathering his cattle or branding that the work sure took a toll on him just like anyone else, but he never complained. He worked hard six days a week and on the seventh day, he rested.
He never missed a Sunday morning service at the church he attended. That’s not always true, there were a couple of times when a mare was giving birth or the cattle happened to get out onto the road that he missed. He still had his Sunday morning service at his favorite church, but the only ones that attended those special services were him and God and a few animals. And he still prayed that same prayer every single morning.
People marveled at how this young man had turned this little ranch around. He got the same amount of rain as his neighbors did. The same storms that blew across his land blew across his friend’s lands. The cowboy had the same type of grass as everyone else. He ran the same beef cattle as nearly everyone in the county. He bought all of his horses from locals and then spent the time needed on each one. And he prayed that same prayer every single morning.
Folks starting wondering how this young buck was doing so well. Some said he was lucky. Others said he must have some inherited money to afford all those good horses and cows. People said he might be raising a cash crop that might not be legal. A few even said he might have made a pact with the devil. And he still prayed that same prayer every single morning.
The cowboy tried to tell people that it isn’t what you do that makes you successful. He tried to tell them it’s not what you say that makes the difference. He wanted them to know it’s not the kind of cattle or the color of your horse. It doesn’t matter how much it rains or how little.
You see, every morning this young man would get up and say the same little prayer. It wasn’t a prayer asking for relief from problems or material possessions. It wasn’t a prayer filled with 53 ½ “heavenly fathers” or long and drawn out. It was a simple prayer. He asked for one thing every single day.
Upon his knees every morning of all his life, the cowboy who was once young but is now old still prays his simple prayer. Only this time his grandson is kneeling there with him. As they bow their heads, the young boy says in his tiny voice, “Lord, today in everything that I do, let the reason be for you.” As the little boy helps his grandfather up he says, “Well Grandpa, the easy part is over.” The old man messes up the little cowpoke’s hair and says, “It sure is son. It sure is.”
