Salute to Rodeo’s Pickup Man

If you’ve ever watched a rodeo, you’ve seen a pair of cowboys on horseback in the arena during the roughstock events. They swoop in after rides are finished or a contestant is bucked off, sidling up next to bareback and saddle bronc horses and helping herd ornery bulls out of the ring. Known as the “ghosts” of the arena, these riders choose to stay out of the limelight and act as a support system for those battling it out for success in the sport.

They are steadfast…always present, always watching, always there to lend a hand, rescue from danger, keep the action moving along, or even just give an encouraging word…all from the shadows.

Life is a rodeo—full of bucking stock, unexpected twists and turns, and quite a few falls where we have to get up, dust ourselves off, and get right back on. This real-world full-time rodeo of ours could use a better support system, with a lot more guys and gals saddling up to ghost ride…after all, it’s a big arena.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…Galatians 6:9-10

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace… Prayer of St. Francis