09/06/2026
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." — Matthew 11:28–29
Finding Rest in the Heat and Dust
If you’ve looked around the alleyways and pens at Poor Boy Livestock Auction this week, you know the reality on the ground. The ground is dry, the heat is relentless, and every market week brings a fresh wave of uncertainty. Between input costs, weather forecasts, and the weight of keeping a ranch running, "labor" isn't just a holiday title—it's a daily, physically exhausting reality.
Labor Day weekend gives us a moment to stop and acknowledge the sweat it takes to steward animals and land. But human effort alone can only carry us so far. When the grass burns up and the prices fluctuate, our strength runs thin.
The encouraging truth of the Gospel is that God is not a distant observer of your hard work. He sees the early mornings in the dirt, the late nights on the tractor, the calving, the weaning, the working, and the quiet anxieties you carry into the auction ring.
In Matthew 11, Jesus doesn't ask us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps or figure out the market on our own. He offers a trade: bring Him your weariness, and He will give you rest. In agriculture, a yoke links two animals together so they can carry a load side by side. When we take Christ’s yoke, we aren't pulling the heavy load alone anymore. We are stepping into stride with the One who controls the rain, the seasons, and the future.
Rest isn't just the absence of work; it's the presence of trust. Today, even while the heat lingers and the future remains uncertain, you can rest knowing that the Lord who sees your labor is faithful to sustain you through it.
A Prayer for the Producers & Crew
From Chris, our office manager…
Heavenly Father, God,
We come before You today thankful for the work You’ve given our hands, but even more thankful for the rest You promise our souls. You know every challenge facing the men and women gathered here at Poor Boy every Friday—the dry pastures, the long days, and the stress of the unknown.
We ask that You send rain to the dry ground and peace to anxious hearts. Give wisdom to the buyers, sellers, and hands working the rings this week. Help us to trade our worries for Your peace, trusting that You hold our livelihoods and our families in Your hands.
Refresh our spirits today, Lord, and remind us that our true security is found in You.
In Jesus' precious name we all pray, Amen.
