"Broncs"

I’ve ridden snorty horses,

Started young ones long ago,

Had a few whose gaskets blew,

And bucked me off, you know.

And any time that happened,

When I would hit the ground,

I’d always try and that’s no lie,

When that pony came unwound.

To stand up in a hurry,

And soon as e’er I could,

To get back on and get along,

And ride him as I should.

But finally one bucked me off,

A counterfeit, you see,

My old bones broke, a bad luck stroke,

And that was it for me.

Yes, I got well and horseback,

It took some weeks, a few,

But since then I’ll tell you friend,

I’ll say what others knew.

That anyone who rides a horse,

Is never bullet proof,

Comes a time, along the line,

It’s best to learn the truth.

And I’m still riding horses,

But I like ‘em old man broke,

No more wild, I’m reconciled,

To gentle ones, no joke.

And seems to me it’s only right,

To write this down, you see,

‘Cause I’ll just bet, some oldster gets,

This poem’s worth from me.

Go on now, admit it,

The broncs are for young men,

Leave ‘em be and you will see,

Much safer rides, my friend.

“Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and i will bear you and I will deliver you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NAS)

The Lord is faithful no matter our season of life. It’s wise to realize there are some things that need to change as we age. Gentle horses are just such an example. But older does not mean we’re done. It just means we are a bit more deliberate about our activities. The good news is that we can count on the Lord to grace us on a daily basis, just as He has always done. He will bear us, carry us, and deliver us right to the end. Praise God.

Lord, help us to rely on You in every season of life, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.