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Toward the end of the summer in 1974 we were ready for a break from 60 days of "before
sunup to after sundown" hours on the ranch during A.I. season. So Saturday morning my husband, Rem; myself; Rem's sister Ruth;
and two other hands, Sandy & Dorothy loaded up our horses and headed to the Duane Shoemaker ranch south of Wolsey, SD
for one of Duane's "Pay a buck and enter all the events you want" playdays.
Our group was by no means professionals
at this... in fact this was the first time we'd ever found or taken enough time from ranch work to actually ride in one of
these events. But Duane just wanted families to be together and have some fun so although ribbons were handed out, quality
of fun was emphasized more than quality of ability! Our performance in most of the events convinced us that we really should
have hit Duane up to be hired as the clown act, although Rem and I took third place in the rescue race so weren't totally
disgraced.
The other day though I was meditating on the leading of the Holy Spirit when the Lord brought one of the
events of that day to my mind. Besides the usual barrel racing, pole bending, reining contests; we had signed up for something
called "Monkey in the Tree" without having a clue to what it was. It turned out that the "ideal" way to ride this race was
as follows:
1) Two people on one horse race to a point in the arena where a tractor is parked (running) with a rope
hanging from the raised loader.
2) Despite the noise of the tractor (did I mention it was an early 40's Allis WC with
no muffler?), the horse runs right up to the rope, and the rider on the back grabs the rope, swings off the horse and hangs
there without once touching the ground in anyway.
3) The rider still on the horse, races to the other end of the arena,
makes a tight turn around a barrel there and heads back to pick up the partner still clinging to the rope hanging from the
loader.
4) The horse fully trusting it's rider doesn't hesitate a bit from running up to the person hanging in midair
(I did mention that this tractor was very, very, very noisy didn't I?) and then allows him/her to swing back behind the saddle
again.
5) With both riders back on the horse, they race for the finish line .... and since so many teams will finish
this way.... Duane himself is waiting at the finish line with a stopwatch in his hand.
OK --- now for reality! With
minor variations this is how it usually went:
1) Two riders on one horse .. race toward the tractor.
2) Several
yards from the tractor (some very close to the starting line) the horse hears/sees this noisey monster ahead of it; says "You've
got to be kidding!!!" and either shies seriously sideways, unseating or at least almost unseating one or both riders .........
or it would flat out do it's imitation of one of Casey Tibbs bucking stock. Either way it was highly entertaining for the
crowd.
3) On the couple occasions where the team actually got the horse enticed up to the rope; made it around the
barrel and headed back to pick up the rider .... well refer to same scenario as above.
Rem and I were scheduled as
the last team to ride and as each team got unseated or gave up, our hopes became higher and higher. We were riding Rem's favorite
Leopard Appaloosa mare "Apple" and knew with her temperament and willingness, this would be an event that she would shine
in; our time had come!!!
The only team to finish the race was two grown men on a Shetland pony. We won't even pretend
their time was impressive but that little pony was willing and I'd have to say we were all impressed with how long the second
rider could hang in midair waiting for his partner to return from the other end of the arena!
Then it was our turn!!
With Rem behind me, securely hanging onto the California role of my good roping saddle, we were off! There was absolutely
no hesitation or even a blink of fear in her eyes as Apple ran full gallop up to the rope hanging from that noisy ol' tractor.
Rem grabbed that rope and swung off as Apple did a beautiful turn and headed for the other end of the arena. With a nice swift
turn around the barrel we headed back to pick the "hanging monkey" up from the "tree". Apple acted like this was nothing unusual
to see a guy swinging in midair and even just turned her head a bit without flinching when Rem accidentally kicked her in
the head as we approached. Barely stopping and grabbing Rem around the waist to help guide him back behind the saddle, I let
out my best cowgirl war-whoop as I felt him drop into place behind me. "We've got this one won!" was the only thought that
ran through my head as I snaked the reins forward and gave Apple a kick, knowing her "zero to warp speed" start would give
us a very impressive time on the stopwatch.
A collective "gasp" from the crowd ..... a drawn out yell of "w--a--i--t!!"
from Rem ........... but it was too late. Yep, Rem had dropped into place alright ..... but unfortunately not free of the
rope that got under his leg as he landed behind the saddle. Realizing the rope would drag him off, Rem wisely didn't let go
so was back swinging harmlessly in the air as Apple leaped right out from under him. The Bible says laughter is like a good
medicine..... boy that was a healthy bunch that day! Rem made a valiant effort to continue to hang on to the rope but when
you're laughing that hard... it's just impossible and the "monkey" fell outta the tree! It was just as well though... even
the timekeeper was down on his knees in hysterical convulsions. Ok, no ribbon ........ but a lot of people sure came up to
us later for some good ol' backslapping along with compliments on what a great horse Apple was.
What does all of this
have to do with "the leading of the Holy Spirit"? How many of us have felt the Call of God upon our lives, or had a prophecy
spoken over us, or felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit drawing us into some ministry or some action within the Body of Christ
........... and just wanting to do something for Christ, went charging full force ahead "knowing" that God was going to use
us and "sure" that victory was ours ............ only to find that things just weren't going well and we weren't received
well and just had the whole thing fizzle out or worse yet became wounded and rejected and perhaps even a bit upset with God
for "misleading" us? How did we mess up so badly?!! Be encouraged though.. God doesn't call you a failure (that's the enemy
trying to kill, steal and destroy the dream God has given you). God knew you were going to go running out ahead of Him ........and
His plans for you are still for good and not for destruction.
Ok, time to get back on the horse.
Take a deep
Holy Ghost breath.
Ask for forgiveness (from God and from man) where needed.
Give forgiveness where needed
.... for hurts either real or perceived as such.
Realize all the gifts He's given you are still there.
Have
confidence in the fact that He has provided all you need for what He is calling you to do.
Ask the Holy Spirit to
give you discernment (revealing insight and understanding)
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you wait until everything is
in place and it's God's perfect time to "sock spurs" and head for the victory line!
1 Corinthians 15:57 (Amp) - But
thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Marla J. McGeorge
nowalive@hotmail.com
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