Cowboys in Training

I posted this picture on Facebook the other day.  We moved a couple groups of cows around and recruited some young cowboys to help with the drive.

It brought back memories of when my kiddos were this age.  Oh the fun!

At the time, I kept asking myself if it was worth it to take the extra time and effort to saddle three extra horses and round up the spurs and chaps and boots and ropes and everything else a young cowboy needs.

But I am happy to report that it was worth every second.  Now my boys are counted among men on cattle drives.  In fact, they are essential components of the cattle driving crew.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.

I realize this verse if referring to training a child in the ways of the Lord which is undoubtably the most important thing you can teach a child.  But I think it also refers to training your children in other things too.  Like teaching them how to work, how to respect the “trail boss,” how to work under pressure, how to be responsible, and how to take control.  All of which can be taught/learned on a cattle drive.  And while we don’t know if any of the kids will continue the ranching tradition, we can be reassured that the skills they learned on the ranch can be used in any aspect of their life.

So, yes, though it required many more hours of effort, it was worth it.  Plus, now they can all saddle their own horses and are such good hands I am allowed to ride along as the photographer while my children do all the work.  It’s perfect!

So thanks to my parents and all the parents out there who work so hard everyday to train their children up in the way they should go!