Hunkered Under the Old Chuck Wagon
For those who live in forests or among trees, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to hunt for shade. We spend the better part of the year searching for sunlight. But in the Old West chuck wagon days, plenty of times cowboys longed for respite. Out on the rolling prairies of the Dakotas. Clear down in Indian territory. Along the Great Basin region of Nevada, Idaho, Utah or eastern Oregon. Down in the deserts of the southwest, you could ride all day and not find one tree, not one scrap of shade bigger than a scrawny sage.
So, on those long cattle drives at roundup, if a cowboy had any free time at his nooner, he’d lounge in the shade of the chuck wagon.
Taking Life Easy
Old timers developed the phrase, “living in the shade of the wagon.” This meant a fellow purposely took time off to doze, idle, take a snooze. Now, catching some shade occasionally is a good thing. But when that becomes a total lifestyle, the phrase doesn’t extend a compliment.
Chuck Wagon Churches
Maybe, in a sense, a home church fellowship becomes the shade of the wagon for us. The Bible tells us, “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:10).
We’d like to think that each day has its moments of sweet peace like a divine recess. We take a short time to meditate on a few Scriptures. There’s a moment for prayer, praise, and fellowship with the Lord. At least, that’s a good daily goal. But no matter how serious the disciple, some days, weeks, months of such a spiritual oasis becomes difficult to locate. Like any old-time cowpuncher, sometimes it’s tough to find any spiritual shade.
Moving On
Our trail crosses a Sunday every seven days. With other believers we have the chance to get out of the blazing heat and pressures of this
world. We can enjoy the refreshing presence of God. But just like the old-time cowhand, we do have to move on. A little rest, a bit of inspiration, some spiritual food and then it’s time to hit the trail again.
We ride herd on humanity with a final destination. Even in the spiritual realm, life was not meant to be wholly spent in the wagon shade.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1994
Old Chuck Wagon Image by Brigitte is happy … about coffee time :)) from Pixabay
Resting in Hammock Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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“Chuck Wagon Shade” audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series.
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