Good Ol' Cowboy Wisdom

The other night Tom and I happened upon a mini series from 2006 on Roku called Broken Trail. The movie stars Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church as an aging cowboy and his nephew who travel from Oregon to Wyoming with 500 horses to sell to the British army. Along the way they encounter and rescue a group of young Chinese women from a slave trader, saving them from a life of servitude and prostitution. (wikipedia.org, IMBd.com) The movie is based on a true story.

First things first. I have always loved Robert Duvall. I thought he was wonderful in the movie Secondhand Lions with Michael Caine, which is one of my favorite films, but Duvall's portrayal of a rugged and realistic American cowboy in both the Lonesome Dove series and Broken Trail are pure magic. Sprinkled throughout the action in both pictures are morsels of sage advice, advice that anyone would do well to grab hold of and incorporate.

At one point in Broken Trail, Tom, the nephew, makes a remark to his uncle that they need to be pushing on, because all the delays are taking a toll on the horses making them much leaner. He's concerned that will be money out of their pockets when they go to sell them. His uncle, played by Duvall, responds with this gem: "Son, never measure your wealth by money." I thought that was brilliant. I absolutely love this, and how true it is!

I understand why money is equated with weath. Banks do it. Mortgage companies do it. Financial advisors do it. Taxing authorities do it... even the government does it, but is one's wealth really defined by mere dollars and cents? Of course not! Money is a tool, nothing more and nothing less. I know you're probably thinking, "Well, that tool is pretty handy, and I'd rather have more tools in my chest than fewer," and I'd have to agree with you on that. However, real wealth encompasses more. So. Much. More.

People can be rich in many things, the least of which I'd argue, is money. Ever heard the phrase, "Health is Wealth," ? I don't imagine anyone would disagree with that one, especially while we are still deep in the throes of the coronavirus. I'm thankful for my health, and I value it. That makes me wealthy too. Riches come in many different packages. Family is one of them, one of the richest blessings of all in my book. I have just spent a wonderful week with my son and daughter-in-law at their home in Spring, Texas, helping out a bit after our newest blessing, little Wade, was born. When I look at my family, and now at my three grandsons, I can't help but think how blessed and full my life is, how truly rich I am.

If you have friends... good friends, even just one or two truly close friendships, you are wealthy. If you have meaningful and productive work to do, whether outside the home or within its walls, you are rich. If you have laughter, if you have joy in your life... you are wealthy. If you are loved and have someone to love on in return, you are richer than many. If you have a roof over your head, clothes in the closet, food in the pantry, and a bed to sleep in, you are wealthier than most of the people in the world. If you lay your head on your pillow at night and rest easily, you are rich.

Money is tangible, but it is also transient. It comes. It goes. It, in and of itself, is not wealth. What we do with the resources the good Lord has given us is what defines wealth. We put those tools to good use giving back first to God of the bounty He has so generously provided, then we use it in the care and support of family, and the sustainance of those who have need of it.

Money can't give real joy. It can perhaps provide temporary distractions and pleasures, but money has its limits. It can't love you. It can't hug you. It's nothing but figures on a page until it's put into action. That old cowboy wisdom was right. Never measure your wealth by money. Wide open spaces, a blanket of stars at night... people to love, work to do, hands to help, and a God to serve. These are the things that make one wealthy, and in return, make life... rich.