The Government Card
Here’s one of my favorites from years past...
An old rancher was sittin’ on the porch in his rockin’ chair and watched as the stranger come ridin’ up the road. The old rancher knew this feller was a stranger because he knew every man in the county, and he knew how they sat a horse. Besides, who would wear a suit and tie while ridin’ horseback in this heat? Yep, this rider was a stranger, sure enough.
Breakfast was over, and he was enjoying his last cup of coffee. The boys had gone to work makin’ ready for the spring roundup. Yep, the next couple weeks would be hard and dusty work, but it was the only life he had ever known.
The stranger was walking his horse down the lane and slowly looking all around. The old rancher pulled his pipe out of his pants pocket, eyeballed it, and scraped ‘er out with his knife. He inserted a new supply of tobacco, tamped it down, and lit it up with a match.
The stranger rode into the yard and drew up in front of the porch. For a long moment, the two men sized each other up. Then the old rancher spoke.
“Light and set stranger, Ma will fetch you a cup of coffee.”
The stranger swung down, and walked closer. “No, thank you. I’m here on official United States Government business. I’ve come to inspect this ranch for safety violations.”
The old man took the pipe out of his mouth and spit on the ground right in front of the government man’s boots. “Well, is that so? I’m the owner of this here ranch, and it don’t need no inspectin’.”
“Well, my name is Alfred Bartimus, and I am here on official government business. Here is my card sir.” (It was a fine lookin’ official government callin’ card) “This card gives me the right to inspect anything on this place I have a mind to.”
The old rancher studied the card for a long minute and handed it back. “Well, I don’t have nuthin’ to hide so you just look and inspect all you want.”
Pert’ neer an hour later, the inspector returned with a list of infractions.
“Your branding irons have no label warnings about them indicating they might be hot. The steps to your bunkhouse need handrails, and your outhouse needs protective seat covers. These are serious violations sir! Now, I must inspect your pastures.”
The old man exploded. “There ain’t nothing wrong with my pastures! You just get on your horse and ride out of here!”
Alfred Bartimus presented his card again, and smiled.
The old rancher was mad, but then he had a thought, “Maybe he’ll walk through all my pastures.” The rancher pert near smiled.
Fifteen minutes later, he heard terrified screams coming from behind the barn. As he watched, he saw that inspector Bartimus was out in the bull pasture, running for his life as a huge champion prize rodeo bull closed in on him.
“Help me! Please help me, I beg you!”
The old man studied the situation and slowly got to his feet. He cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered out, “Show him your card, show my prize bull that card!” Now, the rancher was smiling, indeed.
There are times when we just need to let God be in control and let him work out the problems of our lives. F or I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11 nasb)
Choose Jesus, choose life and let your light shine! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And it’s hot and it’s July so pray for rain.