Salt of The Earth This summer my family and I took a long weekend down to Mustang Island State Park in Port
Aransas, TX. We camped right on the beach just a few yards away from the gulf 's shore. Being this close to sea level seemed almost like a spiritual experience to me. Everyday I'd fall asleep and wake up to the saltwater hitting the shoreline. When I returned to work the following Monday I felt revitalized and blessed. During that weekend I felt more alive than I had all summer, which got me to thinking. Did I feel so great because of a much needed break, or was it because I have a connection to the ocean, a deep inner connection to the salt that was in the water and sand? Before we headed home my wife purchased a souvenir hat that read "Stay Salty," and by the literal since we have "Stayed Salty." For example, all the chairs we took still have bits of sand on them. If you were to taste these bits of sand you'd taste the salt of the earth. Anytime someone of high regard is mentioned, they are referred to as "Salt of the Earth." I hear this every week about our customers, probably because we have such a great customer base. By definition this term is used when referencing an individual or group that is considered as the best or noblest elements of society. To me, it means this and some. In the Bible, Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?" To me, the answer is easy. The answer is Jesus. Salt has been a significant symbol and element throughout our history. Here it's a reference to a preservation of our salvation. Much like salt is used to save food from spoiling, Jesus is the preservative that saves our souls from spoiling. Salt is also symbol of purity, but this again goes back to its preservation qualities. Salt, particularly is used to reduce the corruption of meat, thereby making it edible longer. Christians themselves who follow Gods will and word will serve as preservatives of the human race by slowing the decay of the world around them. This fall I had the pleasure of hunting with a man, who with his salt, slows the decay of the world around him. 90 miles north of the Mexican border, near the Texas town of Sonora, lies the Red Mill Ranch. Here Tony Renfro sets hunters up for a chance to harvest a free range Aoudad or Barbary Sheep. It was a four day hunt, but I knew from day one that Tony was "Salt of the Earth." The funny thing is, if you were to ask me what exactly made him salt of the earth, I couldn't define one element. I just knew that Tony had my back while I was at his property, and that everything he was doing for me, he did so naturally and because he wanted to, not because he was being paid to do so. He was kind, welcoming, and respected the word of God. Tony worked diligently to ensure I got a bucket list trophy checked off, and he went above and beyond what any host or guide should do. Tony Renfro put his blood, sweat, and tears into my hunt to ensure it was a success, all of which have salt in them, so it might be easier to say he put his salt into it. I'll end this "Salt of the Earth" analysis with this thought. Salt, although vital to life and good for health to most things on the planet can be deadly if there's too much present. In conclusion too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad thing.
Reed Boettcher - Editor
Stay Salty: The background image of cactus and dead mesquite was indicative of a majority of the terrain at Red Mill Ranch near Sonora, TX. Despite the rugged look of this area it has a natural beauty about it. At left, the author poses with a 31" free range Aoudad along with the Red Mill Ranch owner and outfitter, Tony Renfro. Photos By: Reed Boettcher & Mike Summers
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GPL Winter 2021
