How To Change A Float

Of coarse it happens when he’s out of town. I pull up to the trough to see a huge pool of water surrounding it. It’s clear to see the float is blowing in the wind, as it has broke free. Probably an eager calf, sticking his nose in the wrong place. I put the truck in park, turn up the radio and begin the rancher’s wife dig. I dig for a crescent wrench and hop out to see how this is gonna go. This is a common occurrence on the ranch so it’s not that hard to do. But today, I thought, what about that lady who for the first time finds herself alone, searching the web for the “how-to change a float”. Maybe she will come across this. But it’s not just about how to change a float…..and for that you’ll have to stick around until further in the post.

First, Access:

Water extends just slightly under the trough= the cattle are near, probably happened within the last couple hours.

Water extends several feet and has cattle tracks running all through the mud= cattle broke the float, went back to party, and are hiding around the hill laughing, as you carry all your tools, kick the trough, and mumble under your breath.

Water extends 100 yards, has cattle tracks, roll marks, and it requires mud boots=cattle broke the float, partied, hid for awhile until they got board waiting on you, so they decided to break into the neighbor’s pasture.

Next, find the right tool for the job:

Crescent wrench, socket set with various sizes. A float, if the other is missing, perhaps used in the late night party. A float rod, the right size…also pretty important. And patients to loosen the extremely tight long arm screw thingy….which I just leaned over and asked my husband…”What’s the thingy called that you always put on to tight?”

Now the step by step:

Remove float cover.  Now, stick your bottom lip forward-it really helps with momentum

Locate the float rod in the slime at the bottom of trough. This stuff is AWESOME and is highly sought after by nail salons everywhere.

Remove the “long arm” screw. (Part A…in my rt. hand), you will need part B- Well you will need it all, so don’t get side tracked and break out into a dance, since the ranch truck radio is blaring with your favorite song.

Open “the box”, slowly…..ever so slowly……. because you really hope everything you need is in there.

…………….surpise!!! It’s there!!……………

Insert new float rod into Part B– hopefully it made it past your pasture dance!!!!

Tighten

Put float rod on

Line it up. Oh, my man put this there for me, you may not have one of these.

…….not quite there yet…….

There we go

Replace float cover

Replace bolts, or the bull might wear the float cover as a hat…….

Where’s the rest of that granola bar……………wait, that’s not a step

Tighten

And Wha….laaa!

You may feel like that water trough, like you’ve leaked out all you have. You try to become what others want, you may compare yourself to others, or stretch yourself to thin, or you have no joy in life. You may even feel like you’ve made a muddy mess of your life. I’ve have found myself feeling this way at times. Like my junk is all over the pasture and it did no one any good. Perhaps the reminder is needed, there’s not 13 steps to repair the damage that’s done, just one. One step, no tools, no tunes, no lines to make sure we get it just right. One step, call on Him. He’s capable of repairs, capable of fixing floats, strong enough to loosen those strongholds, and a cover that will never be broken into. Let me leave you with this……………

John 4:14 “…..but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Now off to sew those jeans………………..thank you for reading, thecowboypastorswife