Hard to turn down an rodeo invitation...and I use that term loosely... because the term rodeo to me just means an excuse to put on my boots. And if I have my boots on then I know it is going to be a fun time.. especially with grand children. The mere thought of going out to the rodeo complex is enough to send me reeling with joy! Blake's school had parent teacher conferences so afterward he and mom and baby brother Sam were headed out to see the animals and I was invited. Sometimes you just have to put priorities in order...and drop the stuff that can wait til tomorrow and seize the moment of this day. This was one of those times.
I am not sure what it is that captures my heart at the mere mention of rodeo but it has for many years. I worked on a committee for over 25 years, am a member of the lifetime volunteer committee, and still maintain a true love for the animals, the activity, and the atmosphere. But the joy of seeing others enjoy it as I do,especially if those others happen to be my grand kids just makes my heart happy. We could have stopped at the tram...but that was just the beginning of a wonderful adventure. We collected cards from the Adventure stations, saw the pigs and cows and chickens, rode the pony (the boys did that is), fed the animals in the petting zoo, went through the farmers maze gathering food, milking cows, and then getting fun money to spend at the market for a snack. The boys then played on the AstroTurf hill, played a few games at the carnival and we ended with trip to the Mutton Buster tent.
The Mutton Buster activity is one that has been newly incorporated the last couple of years into the rodeo activities. I had seen it in the arena but did not realize that it was open to small participants not weighing more than 60 pounds, outside in the "kids country" area. The kids are outfitted with vest and helmet and basically try to hold tight and ride a sheep from one end of the arena to another. Jamie and I asked Blake if it was something he wanted to do. We showed him the silver buckle reward that would be given to the winner, and it was appealing at the time. So he said yes and we bought a t shirt, and signed him up as a participant.
The committee men/women fitted him with uniformed attire and we left him happily visiting in the corral with the other participants. The event began and pretty soon we saw Blake standing on the bench in the corral cheering on the contestants but he had taken his vest off. When I went over to ask what the deal was, he said he had decided that that wasn't for him; for he had a first hand view of those kids taking some falls, he saw the tears, and it looked a little rough. So he bowed out....can't blame him. I remember the first time I saw the event in the arena, and saw those tears myself...it looked awful. And here I was offering for my grandson to now be a part of it? It was his choice and he made his decision based on an up close and personal viewpoint. He had begun his quest with great intention but upon further evaluation decided it was not for him....but he stayed til the end and all who signed up, whether you rode or not, paraded around the arena and received a huge ribbon declaring that they were a participant. It was worth the time spent for sure.
We are all faced with challenges each day. Some we are prepared for while others present us with a territory that is not only unfamiliar but unwanted. With every event that God allows before us we must remember that he stands beside us. Sometimes God allows us to see a bigger picture while other times we get our best perspective form the close up view.
Blake entered the Mutton Buster tent with desire and curiosity...which I thought was a feat in itself. And then he was given the opportunity to look at the insider workings up close and personal. He chose to take that next step and suit up. And then he watched attentively, weighing the pros and cons of the activity. I think we unconsciously do that on a day to day basis. We watch to see what happens, and how somebody handles one situation or another, and we take mental notes for later evaluation. Every event or experience is a step by step endeavor. We take one step then another and with every step God helps us to gain a closer view of reality.
We are either motivated, intimidated, drawn to, or drawn away from the experience. Desire causes us to be motivated, insecurity causes us to be intimidated, curiosity causes us to be drawn to it and fear causes us to drawn away from it. There are obstacles and there are opportunities to every experience. But it is only God who knows how we will be effected by any of them, and how he will use them for his purposes. There is always a learning treasure to be gained by new experience:
1) Don't let fear get in the way of progress...take the first step
2) God has given us gifts that we have not yet discovered...be willing to try
3) Seek God's Perspective ...don't limit your view
4) Sometimes you have to step back before you can step out with courage
5) There is an arena for each of us...for we all have varied strengths and weaknesses
6) Don't follow the crowd...stand on what you know to be true and right for you
7) God times our experiences...for his purposes
I was proud of Blake for taking a close look at something new and unfamiliar and I was even prouder that he took time to evaluate the output of the input. I don't always take time to think things through and often times act on impulse which don't have great outcomes. Those too are learning treasures that impact my thoughts. God stands with each of us as we come upon new experiences. He uses some of them to grow us and mature us and I think he uses other ones to help us be able to differentiate what is of lasting significance and what has only temporary status.
My favorite lesson in all of this is: timing... and it is all about God and His. In all that we are exposed to, God is molding us according to his vision for the life in us that he has created. He is teaching us how to think His way through our experiences. He is teaching us discernment and giving us courage and tilting our desires so that they line up with his plans. He allows experiences to be before us but sometimes we are not yet ready to tackle them, and then in his grace he helps us to step back and gain the momentum and courage it takes to persevere at a later time. A time that is is perfect for His building of our character.
James 1:4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Dear Lord, Thank you for standing beside me in all my experiences. May you direct the desires in my heart so that I may bring glory to you. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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