SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE WESTERNER

Influencing tomorrow with a bible and a rope

By Julie Carter

Every now and then I get a glimpse of a bright promising future by looking at the youth of today.

Hold your moans and groans. Put away the mental images you just reviewed of tattooed, long haired, earring-in-their nose youth with their bottom clothing riding low and their top clothing riding high.

The youth I speak of are home grown in places not always visible to the world.

I’ve been happy to be part of several programs that continually endear me to their ability to grow good kids. Youth rodeo, FFA and 4-H guide young people from ages 5-19 through solid steps to adulthood with self esteem building techniques that are time proven.

Last week I was invited to an event that swelled that hope for the future.

Every Thursday night the Capitan High School rodeo team meets to practice at a private home and arena tucked away in the hills north of Capitan.

Along with the high school rodeo hands were youngsters of every age. They all spent a couple hours practicing their assorted roping events, barrel racing and some good old fun- jumping on the trampoline.

The sun was setting, it was warm with no wind, and kids-having-fun laughter could be heard from all directions.

There were parents everywhere--some loading cattle in the chute, giving instruction, tuning on a horse or just visiting with each other. The atmosphere was casual, relaxed and very friendly. But that weekly gathering is more than just spending time in the arena with a rope.

Some people from the church had brought over a huge grill on a trailer and were cooking up ribs, sausage and brisket with all the trimmings to feed the hungry kids and their parents when practice was over. They did this just because they wanted to, it was a gift.

While the crowd of about 40 filled their plates, ate and talked, the mechanical roping machines were lined up with kids playing with ropes.

These were good kids spending quality time with parents who were taking an interest in where they were and what they were doing.

It is a common thread I see throughout the 4-H, FFA and youth rodeo experience that makes me believe the long hours, long miles and expense is worth every penny invested.

After dinner, bales of hay and a few odds and ends of chairs were lined up in the runway of the barn for short bible message. To the sounds of horses stirring in the stalls on either side, praise music was accompanied by a guitar followed by reverent prayer.

A story about using your life to become a bible story concluded the evening. It ended right where it always should—giving thanks to the source of our blessings.

The entire evening underlined the fact that we are not blessed by chance but are blessed by choice.

I would not presume to say that if a youngster does not take part in one of the aforementioned youth activities that he or she won’t amount to anything.

I am saying that if they do, their chances for success in this life are measurably multiplied.

Influence is a powerful tool and on this night a very positive influence was present in abundance. You couldn’t have hidden from it.

Thank you Chris and Sheila Williams-- for sharing your home and your life touching influence with so many. I was honored to be only one.

Julie can be reached for comment at jcarter@tularosa.net

© Julie Carter 2005

I welcome submissions for this feature of The Westerner.

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