The spring of 1997 was proving to be somewhat challenging. Perhaps I should say that calving season was. The year before had taken quite a toll on us. A severe winter storm in April not only killed a number of cows on the Lonetree, we ended up losing about 30 percent of our calf crop. Sometimes, those incidents can make one a little nervous.
My night horse this calving season was a sorrel gelding that we raised. His name was Mr. Tige. As we were calving around 150 head of first calf heifers, I would get up at 2:00 in the morning and go to the calving barn. There in the dim light I would find Mr. Tige waiting for me. I would tighten my cinch and lead him outside where I would mount up and proceed to ride to the east on the hill where this bunch of heifers was. It was not long before we were leaving the shadows cast by the yard light and then we rode by the beam of light shining from my mag light. I felt the northwest wind pushing on my back and I could see the snowflakes falling to the ground.
I honestly hoped that nothing was taking place this one morning. My hope was that all the expectant mothers and their calves would hold off until morning and hopefully the weather would improve.
As Mr. Tige and I rode through the herd, I was amused by the little white-faced babies snuggled up in the straw that we had spread out the night before. I also smiled as the only sounds I heard other than the wind and the occasional squeak of saddle leather, were the groans and sighs of heifers that were heavy with calf.
I was pleased at how Mr. Tige handled the task. He was a young horse and the way to train horses is to ride them and give them all sorts of experiences. I was not only checking cows... I was training a horse.
I was satisfied that I had completed my task, and I breathed a sigh of relief that all could rest until the next check. My thoughts now turned to riding through the darkness and riding toward the distant light by the barn.
I have never been one to waste opportunities to ponder and think. And tonight was no different. As I reined Mr. Tige toward home, the cold northwest wind hit me directly and the snow began pelleting the bare skin of my face. It was like a revelation… a reminder... and a challenge.
I nearly said it out loud. "That's it! Ridin' the Storm." Immediately, I recalled the numerous times that my dad would say, "Saddle up boys... there is a storm coming!" We would never respond by asking if we could sit this one out. We never would ask for cup of hot chocolate before we go. It was certainly not a time to put your feet up by the fire and let someone else do the task or ignore it completely. A storm meant it was time to ride. God laid it on my heart at that moment that "Ridin' the Storm" would be our theme for the summer camp season at Rainbow Bible Ranch.
Mr. Tige and I arrived back at the barn. I took care of this faithful horse and patted him on the neck and wished him a good rest of the night. And then I hurried to the house. I could hardly wait to tell Robin of my thoughts. I got into the porch and took off my boots and coveralls. I hesitated by the furnace but not for long. Robin needed to hear this.
Robin did not stand a chance of staying asleep. As anyone knows that has been involved in the livestock business, during the calving season, it is hard to ignore the winter cold that radiates from your spouse’s body as they ever so quietly crawl back into bed.
Right?
"Robin,” I whispered loudly... “I know what our theme is for this summer's camp!” I proceeded to tell her all my thoughts. She was kind enough to acknowledge. I may have had to go over the finer points at the breakfast table, but no matter. I could hardly contain myself at what God had reminded me that night as I rode in the darkness on a good sorrel gelding named Mr. Tige.
And what about Mr. Tige? He died the other day in the same pasture on the hillside where God reminded me to "Ride the Storm". Old age had taken it's toll. As I finish writing this, tears are coming out of the corners of my eyes. So many memories. So many times I have encouraged people young and old to not quit, but to go ahead and ride out those storms that come life's way. God will ride with you. He will never quit you. Not unlike Mr. Tige and I as we rode through the darkness with the cold wind and snow hitting us in the face.
Thank you Lord for the lessons you have taught me.