Originally written for Nevada Rancher Magazine, titled “How Does The Ranch Wife Fit Into Proverbs 31”
A good ranch wife…. who can find?
She is worth far more than turquoise,
The high dollar cutting horse,
Or registered bull.
Her husband has full confidence in her..
To hold the mad cow from barrelling through
the gate…
He’s never short a ranch hand.
She brings him good, not harm, even when his personality
totally changes when he’s working cattle…and
she must resist bringing along
a frying pan to make the deal fare….
all the days of her life.
She has vaccines and brands
and works with eager hands.
She is able to pack a lunch in the back seat of a
pick up and haul it down
ranch roads….
to pens near and far.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for the crew
and a few scraps for the dogs.
She considers a lease and stocks it with bred cows;
out of her earnings she buys feed, fuel, pays day workers, and vet bills
but makes enough for another years lease.
She sets about her work vigorously;
Even if she rides the outside in the gather.
Her arms are strong for her tasks
as she brands with one hand and
holds a baby with the other.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and bottle feeds a doggie calf all
hours of the day and night
In her hand she holds the reins
and spurs her horse to catch up
in the gather.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy
and gives them a job
on the ranch
When it’s cold, she has already ordered
scotch caps and has extra
wildrags and slickers on hand;
for no cowboy or cowgirl is without
gear.
She makes coverings for her bed;
Or orders them from Rod’s or
from Big Bend Saddlery.
she is clothed in leggins, boots and a cowboy hat.
Her husband is respected at the feed store,
where he takes his seat amongst the ranch folks.
She makes extra income however she can
to supplement until the sell
of Fall calves,
She is strong from unloading feedsacks;
she can laugh at the many uses of
a come-a-long.
She speaks with wisdom,
and watches the cattle market for the
right time to sell and buy.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread at the church social that
Margaret made…knowing her barn floor
is cleaner than Margaret’s kitchen
Her children arise and call her a hand;
her husband also, and he buys her new work gloves
to show his appreciation:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
because they do not look like the
hands of the city gal..all polished and
unscathed…they show their wear….
and let her works bring her a nice shiny buckle at next ranch rodeo.
You can read what Prov. 31:10-31 really says…I mean no disrespect in the making of this ranch wife version. I am just a gal over here trying to be the best Prov. 31 woman that I can be.
Thank you for reading….thecowboypastorswife