Chasing Lizards

I recently had the pleasure of meeting one of the sweetest boys I have ever known. His name is Ike and he is four years old.

The day I met Ike, he walked in wearing his starched shirt, nice blue jeans, boots and cowboy hat. To finish off the look, he wore his belt buckle, which was won by his older brother for saddle bronc riding. When it was his turn to introduce himself he removed his hat, had a good firm handshake and said, “Hi, I’m Ike. It’s nice to meet you.”

The next time I saw him, he and his family were branding calves. He explained to me what each person’s job was. He knew exactly which calves were to be cut and those that were left to be bulls.

Every good ranch hand needs a good horse. Ike and Fire Fly, his pony, make a good team trotting around the pasture.

Ike is excellent at spotting lizards! While searching for the little creatures, he sat down on a big rock, looked out across the pasture and said, “This is a good place to sit and talk to God.”

A tad bit shocked, I sat down beside him and thanked God for an amazing day.

Matthew 18:1-4 says: At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Ike revealed to me that day that I need to take the time to sit down to talk to God and quit being so busy chasing lizards.

Now Ike’s manners and wisdom didn’t just happen. He has some really fantastic teachers and role models with three older brothers and three older sisters as well as very kind parents.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com