Riding for the Brand

<p>When I was nineteen years old and my mother Tahleatha was thirty-nine years old she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She was the most godly and compassionate person I knew. She was in the hospital when I took her my first saddle bronc riding check I won in my first PRCA rodeo. I thought it would make her happy because she was at the high school rodeo when I covered my first bull and I could hear her over the entire crowd cheering me on. I thought it would bring her joy that her son finally became a man but I could read disappointment on her face.</p><p></p><p>The rodeo check didn't even put a smile on her face so I asked her Mom what would make you happy?</p><p></p><p>She knew I gave my heart to Jesus at a young age. So she said I wish you'd give your life to Jesus.</p><p></p><p>So I told her on her deathbed that I would and I signed up for a one-year Bible institute in the Adirondack Mountains. I asked God Please get a hold of my life or when I get out I'll probably go back to rodeo and hunting and manly stuff.</p><p></p><p>I learned God wasn't about taking and stripping everything from us but using the talents and interests he gave us in the first place as a platform for God to display his glory.</p>