WATER TROUGH

BY DOVE

If I could gift you with anything, it would be the gift of deep faith. At this time on the planet, faith that we are in the right place at the right time is so important, it brings us peace. Are we holding the most uplifting thoughts we can feel? As our world shifts, are we trying to hold on to what was, or do we trust our own inner guidance (source) that we will be guided for our best and highest good? That is my question for today.

Where does that trust and faith come from? How do you sustain it in the most uncertain of moments? When I was in my early twenties, a friend explained to me that all you need is shelter, some clothing, and enough food to eat. All the rest is luxury. When you think of it like that, you can embrace all that you have that is so much more.

I started focusing on all that I had that was so much more, and from that place of faith and trust, so much more evolved. If I choose to be in fear, I cancel out all the good energy created by my faith. So, I trust. My focus is what can I do to make this a better place for all living things? Can I do more than I already am?

I constantly ask God (source) to make me aware of where I can be of service. What is amazing is God (source) constantly takes care of me. As an example, my new young neighbors refused to allow my 80-year-old husband to crawl up on the roof to assess the snow. They watch out for us. I do my best to help them. If we have not cleared our driveway by a certain time of day, they check to see if we need help. How blessed we are!!!

Again, it goes back to trusting. God will always give you back ten times ten the energy you put out. So, it is important to be aware of the energy you are holding.

When I was little and going to Sunday School, I always wondered what we had done that was so bad that God didn’t talk to us anymore like he did in the Bible. I came to discover I had to spend as much time talking, not praying for things, just talking to God (source) as if he/she were my best friend. Source is my best friend and the only place I need to connect is within.

It took many years before I was able to hear what God was saying to me. You have to get really quiet to hear the voice, as there is no pressure to listen, but the greatest gift you can give yourself is to know that there is an aspect of you that is totally connected to that source and you are loved deeply. Trust that love, seek it with all your heart, and fear has no place to anchor its energy.

I would give you the gift of faith, today and always, because it does set you free. Blessings on your journey. Dove

We drove into the desert campsite, just about midday. Then read the sorry sign that said, “The Creek a mile away.”

Ten gallons every day would be a thirsty horse’s style. We had to find some water that was closer than a mile.

We love our mountain water, yet we pay it never mind. But here the desert water is a gold mine of its kind.

We asked the Anhders brothers if they’d find a water source. They shoveled down a sandwich, then each climbed up on their horse.

“It’s water, boys, we’re needing. These old ponies wanna drink. We can even dig a hole down if you find a water sink.”

The brothers turned and set the horses at an easy lope. Then whirled and came back running. Was it too danged soon to hope?

I heard one say, “There’s water just a hundred yards away. A water trough for cattle, this could be our lucky day.”

We led the thirsty horses over to the water tank. And I watched with guilty conscience as the water level sank.

The horses tanked the water down. We should have stopped to think. One cowboy said, “We’re stealin’. We could end up in the clink!”

We ain’t the brightest fellows. Would the rancher make a noise? Do cowboys have an honor code? “We’ll blame the Anhders boys.”

Kenny was the youngest. We said, “You’re looking mighty pale. You really needn’t worry. We’ll come visit you in jail.”

The night air found us ’round the fire. A water truck drove in. The driver stepped on out and he was tall and lizard thin.

I’d seen his look a thousand times. Just itchin’ for a fight. So, we offered him some steak and spuds with hopes to make things right.

He gobbled down the taters, then his scowl turned to a smile. He said, “I’ll bring you water if you’ll feed me for a while.”

It sounded like a deal to me, sure got us off the hook. The Anhders boys were smiling. Kenny lost his panicked look.

And when I start to think about the doggone water trough. I reckon we were lucky, didn’t get our butts shot off.

Bryce Angell

Bryce Angell - The outdoors has always been a large part of my life. My father was an outfitter and guide for 35 years and I was there to shoe and care for the horses and help him do the cooking. We took many great trips into the Yellowstone area. Even now that I’m older, we still ride into the Tetons, Yellowstone and surrounding areas. My poems are mostly of personal experience. I am now retired and enjoying life to the fullest. I plan to do more riding and writing.