If you are the rancher’s wife, you have probably faced the same problem as me. You and your man saddle horses and head out to do some chore on the ranch. Let’s say you are going to get a cow off the neighbors. Things seem normal, you ride out, hunt for the cow, locate her, and begin the track back to the home pens. But as your riding along something strange begins to happen. The cow doesn’t want to cooperate, she’s pretty good at ducking into the white brush. The “unbroke” horse that your husband is riding, well, he’s just not following cues. The eyebrows begin their downward decent….the jaw tightens. The spurring and training of the horse begins. I get into the place I think I need to be….! He mumbles a few words, to which I say….”What honey?”. ….I spoke to soon, he was talking to the cow!
I hope to quickly find the antedote but to late…..it has officially set in….MAD COW DISEASE!
My kind and patient man has fallen victim. It started with the cow, then his horse, and then to me. I wonder if there’s some kind of vaccination. But no time for that, I need to be on my toes….I begin to sing a song…”I knew you were trouble when you walked in”……oops, he just gave me a look. Silence is my new best friend.
Mad Cow Disease affects the brain and nervous system in cattle…………………………..
Mad Cow Disease affects his thoughts and everything gets on his nerves!
Mad Cow Disease affects your thoughts and everything then begans to get on your nerves!
After discussing the affects of working with cattle and each other…… Let me just stop and add a disclaimer here…. I am madly in love with my man. He is so good to me, we work well together on almost all occasions. He’s easy to get along with and is a man I look up to. I would say this “disease” of sorts only takes place when circumstances are just rights, and then bam! Don’t fret though, we have addressed the issue and have come up with some helpful solutions below.
Three Ways to Avoid Mad Cow Disease in your Marriage:
1. Recognize Tense Situations: There’s just no escaping tense situations in life. They happen. Livestock doesn’t always cooperate…….I hear all you rancher wives say “AMEN!” The truck breaks down, on the way home from a horse show, it’s 1:00 a.m., everyone is tired. You worked hard all day, everyone is hungry, and your out of propane. Yes, I know, I read your mail. All these situations are tense. Here’s the thing to keep in mind. This isn’t the time to add fuel to the fire. Don’t slander, yell, or intensify an already bad situation. Don’t blame! This isn’t the time for it, even if it was his fault or your fault. Talk this out afterward.
2. Look for the Solution: If he needs you out of the way because you are standing in the gate, well, quickly get out of the way. Later you can ask him to not holler it! Grab a flashlight and help him or hold up the hood while he looks for the problem. Jump right in and help her get out sandwich stuff….believe me she will appreciate it. If you know you are going to need help….ask for it. If you learn something new….file it away as a, never do that again or that worked well, let’s remember that. You are each others helpmate…..take a look at this…
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”
3. And finally, be gracious: Remember we are allowed to not be perfect, we all have off days. Just be gracious, you have to do this for each other. Sometimes you take turns showing more grace but it will come back around. Don’t be self centered and don’t forget the grace shown to us by Christ. Grace also includes forgiveness. Quickly forgive each other and move on…….I fill the need to emphasize….move on!
Now, here’s a question for you. How have you dealt with Mad Cow Disease in your marriage? Do you have a humorous story to share about “tense” situations in marriage? Please comment below…
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