Ever been caught losing your hat?
I was driving out to the corrals when a cowboy neighbor hiked out of the woods. He was dusting off his hat and brushing his jeans. I stopped to visit and noticed his torn flannel shirt and a scratch across his face. “Howdy,” I said. “Can I help?”
“Did you see that worthless broom tail of mine up the road?” he hollered.
“Nope,” I called out. “No horses up there. What happened to you?”
“Oh, after losing my hat, I got down to look for it. The dang horse ran away.”
As I continued on my way, I had to chuckle. Losing your hat…that’s a standard reply given by many cowboys. “Yep, lost my hat again.” Or “the horse stepped in a gopher hole.” Any excuse not to admit the horse got the best of him. It’s always been that way. Old-time cowboys hated to admit failure. Whether he got dumped in a stream or the bank foreclosed on the ranch, it was always someone else’s fault. Not the most admirable trait in the Old West.
Common Problem
That’s human nature in any era, don’t you think? Failed to get the promotion? Some underhanded action by a co-worker. Son had trouble at school? The administration picked on him due to his high intelligence. The garage leaks whenever it rains? Poor quality of building material. Caught speeding? Incompetent state highway patrol should be watching for real criminals.
Losing your hat has many variations.
The Good Book says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3).
Cowboy or cowgirl or not, some horses you can ride. Some will buck you off. And, yes, losing your hat does happen at times. That’s life. But inordinate pride makes excuses. For those serious about faith and character, practice honesty in all situations. Live with the truth. Even if it makes you look a bit less than perfect. At the least, you’ll stand out in any crowd.
Stephen Bly
Copyright 1994,2015
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When the Cowboys Come to Town cowboy poetry hanging, illustrated book or CD narrated by Stephen Bly. FIND HERE COWBOY POETRY BOOK & CDs
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