That night I just wanted to be left alone.

I was only 15 years old. I was sitting out on my porch with an alcoholic beverage in one hand and an illegal substance in the other. I grew up in one of the poorest barrios of Fresno California; and this was the norm for me.

Though it was well into the night, that didn’t stop the local cowboy from riding up on his horse to talk to me.

Yes, even in California, we had a cowboy. We all knew him as the man who told people about Jesus while riding his horse named Cinnamon.

I didn’t want to hear it, but I couldn’t be disrespectful. He had this kindness in his eyes when he rode up and our conversation went something like this:

“May I talk to you?”

I said, “Well, sir I’m a little busy here.” - clearly showing him the things in my hands. He said,

“That’s ok, I just wanted to let you know Jesus loves you.”

I said, “Really?” and looked at him like, “Don’t you see what I’m doing?”

He looked at me and said, “Yes. Even with all of that, Jesus loves you.”

I was puzzled. When he asked to pray for me all I could say was, “Sure.”

That night, the cowboy, whose name I didn’t even know, said a prayer over my life that changed the trajectory in a way that I never could’ve imagined.

The change wasn’t instant but he spoke a blessing over my life that carried me through. Eventually, I surrendered my life fully to Jesus. I along with my husband began work as chaplains in a juvenile faculty. As we began mentoring the youth, I couldn’t help but share the story about the cowboy who prayed for me.

As the years passed, I often wondered about the cowboy, and nearly 30 years later- I decided it was time to find him.

I took to social media asking if anyone knew what happened to the cowboy. To my surprise, someone knew exactly who he was and how I could find him.

I emailed him and told him I would be honored to see him again in person. He was now living in a nursing home. I’ll never forget walking up to his bed that day. All those years later and yet he looked at me, smiled and said, “Oh yes, I remember you.” We both had tears in our eyes.

He had to have told hundreds of people in my neighborhood about Jesus and still, he remembered me. I told him how God had changed my life and how now because of his obedience the gospel was being shared with youth in the juvenile system.

I told him, “Thank you for all the work you did, your labor was not in vain.” We prayed together before I left and I finally knew the cowboy's name, Tony.

About 2 months later Tony passed away. While I was sad, I also had great joy in knowing his life was well lived. I was also thankful that God allowed us to meet again.

His family asked me to speak at his funeral and after I was given a horseshoe from Cinnamon’s collection. Today it sits in my living room as a powerful reminder. The Bible says it so well in Romans 10:15.

“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

This is Maria's story. I couldn’t help but be on the edge of my seat and in tears as she told me about the cowboy who introduced her to the love of Jesus. I knew it was a story I had to share with you! It amazes me how God uses people.

Tony wasn’t rich by any means. He lived in a trailer and didn’t have a wife or children and yet God used Him in such a great way! Maria’s story is I’m sure one of many, of the lives Tony impacted while he was on Earth.

Sometimes I get shy to share my faith because many people like Maria just don’t want to hear it. But her story reminds me that no one is beyond God’s reach.

I pray that this story inspires you, like it has me, to tell those around you about Jesus. It can be as simple as offering to pray over the meal the next time you’re out with friends at lunch, offering to pray for a friend who is going through a tough time, or as bold as riding up on a horse and telling someone, “Hey Jesus loves you”! Ha! Maybe not that unless you have a horse, but I’m sure if you ask God He’ll show you and even put people in your path.

Even if, like Maria (and me) you’re imperfect, remember God loves you and can use you too!

Your friend, Reyna

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