Changing Direction in Mid-Stream

Do you ever use this phrase? It pretty much sums up the way life is for me. Consider the origins of the phrase, or at least what it meant to the cowboys of the old west and those thousands of folks who were part of the westward expansion.

Fording a small stream was not usually a problem. Some loose rocks, a hole here and there, nothing big. Riders could go back and forth across the stream encouraging the wagon drivers and livestock to move ahead. A full-size river, however, could be hazardous in a number of ways. Deeper water meant more possibilities for hidden dangers. There were the same rock and hole hazards as in the small stream but also things like tree trunks and branches. Still, with a slow current the risk wasn't too daunting. Riders could still be mid-stream to encourage the drivers and animals.

Fording streams was a pretty normal occurrence and, unless there was a flash flood, wasn't anything to get shook up about. The real risk (which you already guessed,) was changing direction in mid-stream. Livestock don't like being turned around even in good circumstances. If, for whatever reason, they needed to be turned in mid stream, there were the added problems of uncertain footing, pressure from the current and the nervous temperament of the animals around water. Wagons were much, much worse. It was virtually impossible to turn a large wagon and if a change in direction was ordered it generally meant that the wagon had to be backed up and hauled out backwards by a fresh team of animals. Also, if the current was especially strong, an animal might get swept away but could usually climb the bank somewhere down stream. The wagons, if caught in deep water with a strong current, were lucky to even remain pointed in the right direction, perpendicular to the bank.

There are some interesting stories out there about events like these but I spent less time pondering life in the old west than I did the similarities between fording streams and planning my day. As a stay-at-home mom I always seem to be making changes in my schedule. In fact, scheduling seems to be a pathetic waste of time most days. Little streams/tasks aren't too hard to get through and a disruption isn't any worse than a waste of time. Oh, but time is precious! Too many changes occurring in a day make for a very confused and crabby mom. I know that I need to be flexible but it isn't always easy. As the streams turn into rivers, becoming deeper and faster, making changes can seem foolish and dangerous. Pulling a child out of school, changing jobs, changing churches, dropping activities that I've done for years; these can seem like Conestogas in a flash flooded river. I need to spend time praying and think things through carefully to determine whether to go on as before or change course. After all, it isn't just me out there in the stream. My family is 'in the wagon' with me out there in the 'middle of the stream'.