Taking Care of God’s Creations

One of my favorite things about growing up on a Utah ranch was springtime. Spring brings so much life after the winter months—birds start to sing, the days get longer, and new life begins to emerge. On the ranch, baby calves bring that new life. Watching calves being born, taking their first steps, and within days running around brought a smile to my face when I was a kid—and it still does today.

Now that I’m older, I see how resilient calves are. A healthy calf is born into harsh elements—cold, wind, rain, even snow. Yet within an hour, it’s standing and nursing from its mother. In just a few days, that same calf is running and playing with others. What an amazing creation of God.

Ranchers are caretakers of cattle—one of God’s creations. A good cattleman spends time caring for their livestock. They brave the elements to ensure cows and calves are safe. They’ll wake up in the middle of a snowstorm to check on their herd, making sure everyone is safe and accounted for. A good cattleman will sacrifice for the well-being of God’s creations.

So why do we do it? Why do cattlemen dedicate so much of their lives to caring for the land and animals? Because we love it. There is satisfaction in caring for animals every day, rain or shine. There is satisfaction in stewarding the land, watching grasses and plants grow. There is satisfaction in improving the land and the animals under your care. But sharing this satisfaction with family makes ranching ten times more rewarding.

I love watching the baby calves in spring and seeing the motherly instinct of the cows. But sharing that with my daughter has been especially inspiring. Her curiosity blooms each time we visit the ranch. She asks questions—about what I’m doing, or what a certain cow is doing—and I love that. Her questions keep me accountable. They make me reflect on why I do what I do, and what kind of example I want to set for her.

I believe most ranchers want to leave the land and cattle better than they found them. Why? Because taking care of the land and the animals ensures our children will have the same opportunity to do what we love: take care of God’s creations.

This fact is often shared, but it’s powerful—90% of cattle ranches are family owned and operated. A high percentage of the beef sold in grocery stores started out on a family ranch. Most likely, the family that raised that calf takes deep pride in providing wholesome food to others.

I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way. Most ranchers would probably tell you something similar. Ranchers and farmers care deeply for their animals. And at the end of the day, we all understand the greater purpose of raising them: to feed our neighbors and communities, in America and across the world.

It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, but it’s a powerful calling—to care for one of God’s creations whose purpose is to nourish others. What an incredible responsibility, and what an incredible gift.