Who knew two of my favorite things – music and ranching – had anything in common! 

Working cattle, for instance, is a lot like being in a choir. We have the members of the choir, aka the crew.  We have the conductor who is the guy on the gate. No one starts until the gate man looks at us to tell us he is ready. 

With the flick of his paddle, we are all at attention, ready to do as he asks. The hand gestures tell us bring them on, faster, or possibly he throws his paddle as they go by trying to slow them down. You never know what the tempo of this particular day might be. It depends on the cattle and the conductor!

When I first became a ranch wife, I was under the understanding that cattle only responded to loud noise with quick movements. Never having been a part of the ranching world,   I was continually in the way. The gate guy was forever giving me the signal with his eyes and his hands to be still and move. Not only move, but move out of the way! 

After years of practice, I now realize that cattle really do appreciate slow and steady. There are times when a quick pickup of the tempo is needed, especially if you are going to get flattened or one is headed for the gate that shouldn’t be.  Sometimes the “working the cows concert” is a beauty, and some days we were a mess from the beginning!

I love it when my days are in sync with the master conductor! When I get up in the mornings, I read his word and get my instructions for the day. When I listen to his voice and ask, “How can I serve you today”? 

Many days are not like that. I set my own tempo, and decide exactly how “I” want the day to go. Singing my own song, and not the number he had picked out. At the end of the day I am exhausted and the last note leaves me feeling off key.

Psalm 25:4-5: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Be thankful for his grace. It is new every morning. Let that be a diamond in your day.