"Calling"

Are you serious, she said,

And I answered, yes, I am,

I’m off to be a cowboy,

And hope I have the sand,

To fork the broncs I’m given,

And care for wild bovine,

She shook her head a-frowning,

As if I’d lost my mind.

She said that life is over,

From yesterdays way back,

The future’s in the towns, you see,

And you’d best learn that fact.

She said the horse hands that she knew,

Didn’t ever make a dime,

She was certain I would do the same,

If I gave it too much time.

But Grandma couldn’t hold me,

And I found the life I love,

Though she was right about the money,

When push comes down to shove.

I got the call one evenin’,

That Grandma was real sick,

They said if you are coming,

You’d better get here quick.

I took the midnight train that night,

Caught a ride out to her house,

I walked up to the front porch,

Folks there quiet as a mouse.

I walked in, my hat in hand,

Sat down beside her bed,

Frail and sickly, there she lay,

She looked at me and said,

I see you’ve made a cowboy,

Just like you said you’d do,

And though it sure surprised me,

I’m very proud of you.

And when the day is over,

And your horseback work is done,

I hope that you’ll remember me,

At the setting of the sun.

I will, I love you, Grandma,

And then she slipped away,

I know that she crossed over,

We’ll meet again someday.

Whatever is our calling,

That’s just what we should do,

Mine to be a cowboy,

For God’s glory that is true.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17, NLT)

The word “whatever” covers everything, don’t you think? We all have different gifts, talents, opportunities and callings. God is not in the business of spiritually cloning all of us to be alike and doing the same things the same way. We are uniquely designed by the Lord to glorify and represent Him, no matter the specifics. There must be room in our thinking for those who love Jesus but express that love differently from us. With God’s help find the path He’s laid out, then honor Him with it, whatever it becomes.

Lord, help us to represent You well, in Jesus’name.

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