Sometimes Ranch Families Don't Make it to Church

We didn’t make it to church again this morning. When I closed my eyes last night, I knew the likelihood of going was slim. It is not that we don’t prioritize church or wish we did make every Sunday.  You see, we are a ranch family, and right now are calving out heifers.

One heifer had a hard labor Friday evening. We were finishing up riding colts and heard an awful sound come from the next pasture over right behind the creek and tree line. We loaded up in the side by side and headed in the direction we heard the noise. She had given birth by the t

me we found her and was showing the signs of taking right to motherhood. She looked at us with fear and worry in her eyes when we pulled up, but she didn’t leave her post. She stood over her calf, licking him and prepared to protect her offspring if need be. He was exhausted from his rough entrance into the world. He laid there listless with no try of getting to his feet let alone nursing. We left the two alone and my husband returned a little while later with a bottle in tow to be used if need be. Sometimes they just need a little help and easy nutrients to make it to their feet. He hadn’t moved since we were there the first time, but he did take most of a bottle which was a good sign.

Saturday, he didn’t show signs of improvement. This morning, we saddled three horses and my husband, daughter and I headed out in the misty rain to go check on the pair. To none of our surprise we found the calf dead, but his mama was still by his side. Our only hope at this point was that he hadn’t gone stiff. You see, we have two very eager bottles calves who would love the chance at a mama. One was born a twin to a heifer who didn’t know what to do with one let alone two.  I let my rope down and my husband tighten the lope around the baby’s front legs. I dallied and slowly began to pull the lifeless calf home. The heifer listened to her instincts and intensely followed the calf. My husband and daughter rode behind pushing her up if the need arose. She got mad. She fought, she stomped she tried killing every dog in sight. To say it was an intense situation would be an understatement.  The horses felt it and were tight. My six-year-old daughter, Evie, kept her head and rode her worried horse with a quiet confidence. He is dead gentle but let this situation get to him. We had made it to the home stretch and were by our horse pasture. The horses in that pasture saw what was going on and decided it was a perfect time to let their hair fly. That was the last straw for the horse Evie was on. He hit two good licks that sent her flying through the air. As soon as she hit, he knew what he had done and stood still. I dropped my rope and hurry to check on her. She was fine, mad and scared but fine. She swallowed hard, and with no protest got back on her horse and rode the rest of the way home.

When we got there the clock was ticking to get the dead calf skinned out and place it on the very hungry orphan. Evie has been a ranch kid her whole life, but this is the first time she could grasp and understand the situation. Before Evan and I tended to the unfortunate job, He explain to her what we were about to do and why. He told her that in life sometimes this happens. The weak die, and those who keep fighting sometimes have a chance to really make it in life and that’s what we were about to give her bottle calf. A real chance. We got it done, I whispered a prayer, and we shoved him in the pen with the heifer. He excitedly walked up to her and tried to suck. She kicked the life out of him right before our eyes. He laid out cold for around thirty seconds and then was back on his feet trying again. She smelled him, licked him, and nudged him to her bag. He latched on for dear life and wagged his little tail in delight. They are now a pair. Tragedy turned into a second chance for both mother and baby. After the job was complete Evie happily jogged back to the house from the barn and I found her in the other orphan calf’s pen feeding him a bottle she had made all by herself. So no, we didn’t make it to church this morning. And honestly it was a mess. But what did my daughter learn? God gives everyone the breath in their lungs and a chance to make it in life. No matter the “unfair” circumstances life and this imperfect world throws our way it’s on us to keep fighting. To always get back on and finish the job. To put others needs before our own.

Galantions 6:9-10

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”