"At a Trot"

From a trot to a lope then back to a trot,

Got news that his mama was sick,

No one could say the time left she’s got,

And he thought that he ought to be quick

He got there in time to say his good-byes,

As the preacher was prayin’ a prayer,

And he wondered about all his sins and his lies,

As she closed her old eyes and left there.

She’d prayed for her son he’s been on the run,

Just tryin’ a-horseback to live,

But she only prayed, that he would be saved,

And receive all that God has to give.

Her read her last note, the scripture of quote,

For John 3:16 was her verse,

And down by his bed, that night to God said,

Before his conviction got worse,

Oh Lord, it’s no show, I’m a cowboy, you know,

And hardly feel that I can pray,

But Mama she said, from the words writ in red,

That salvation can come any day.

I’m giving the reins, and all of my gains,

To You, to do with as You will,

If You’ll have me I’ll be, all You want to see,

If You with Your Spirit will fill.

Just a simple few words but in his spirit he heard,

The Lord say you’ve always been Mine,

And now at a trot, you give all you’ve got,

On fire with the Spirit you’ll find,

I’ll be living through you and all that you do,

Will honor the name of the Lord,

As your old Mama prayed, on her knees long she stayed,

Set fire by the Spirit, never bored.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT)

One of the best-known verses in the Bible, and one of the most powerful, John 3:16 communicates in a few words the Good News of Jesus Christ! God so loved the world that He gave…. It is wonderful to realize that our eternal salvation is not based upon anything other than God’s gift to us. He loves us as we are, and invites us to experience a new life through His Son. All we must do is trust in Him to save us and surrender control of our lives. His grace pardons us and then frees. us to live righteously in the power of the Spirit. It’s for cowboys and everyone else, too!

Lord, help us to receive Your love and then share it with others, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.