I’ve never really taken a break. Maybe a day here or there or a week for vacation. Never longer since junior high with the exception of a two week trip I took to Spain. Even then, I took a goat string.
My horses got a break. They’ve never gotten a break this long unless is was injury related. It’s been 5 months since I’ve been on a horse.
Our trailer needs washed, the truck is dusty, my ropes haven’t been out of the can, my saddle has sat on a stand, my bridles on the hook and the chute needs greased.
But here’s the thing, it’s all still there, waiting for me to return.
The truck and trailer can be washed. The ropes were coiled nicely and kept dry in the can. The dust will brush off the saddle, the bridle will oil right back up. The chute will open as it once did with a little grease. The horses have had time to heal and rest in ways I probably didn’t know they needed. Within just a few weeks they’ll be on their way to being back in shape and so will I.
The knowledge I’ve gained in the past will never be lost. It might need tapped into again, I might need some lessons and help, but it’s all still there and there’s more to gain. Just like my horses, my body and brain will come back with a little time.
You see, the world, social norms and culture lie to us everyday. They that tell us we’re getting left behind. They tell us breaks are for losers. They tell us get up earlier, practice harder, do more, buy more, enter more, spend more, practice more, stay up later, someone else is doing more, so should you. You’re getting left behind.
God tells us to put in the work and trust in his timing. God tells us to rest. He tells us to walk in his path and purpose. Sometimes that will mean taking a break from something.
Now, in no way am I saying there aren’t seasons that you put it all out there and commit to lots of practice, early mornings and late nights, but don’t let it consume you and keep you from experiencing other things life has to offer.
There will be times in life you will be forced to slow down, redirect, take a break. Be it starting a family, an injury, burn out or other crazy life events. Prepare yourself now, trust in his timing and His plan! And remember, you can practice all you want, but that doesn’t necessarily make you better.
If you’re forced to take a break you didn’t want to, you can also use this down time to study other aspects of the game, let go of bad habits, work on your mental game, learn new strategies, etc. No game is purely physical. We watch the breakaway and team roping on the Cowboy channel nearly every night and break down the runs!
Come back with a strategy to bring your mind, body and skills back together. You’ll end up ahead of the person who has burnt themselves out, practiced without a purpose and let the world control them instead of God anyway.
So if you need a break, take the break. If your gold buckle dreams are part of His plan for you, they’ll be there after the break. If they aren’t, you’ll have something better waiting for you!
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With a baby strapped on my front and zipped up inside my coat, I opened my rope can again yesterday. Boy did that rope feel great! We’ve got a ways to go, but we’ve begun again and can’t wait to bring it all back together. Let the strategizing, discipline and FUN begin again!
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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
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