"Corn Bread Blessing"

We rode a faint, old loggin’ road,

On a cow hunt in the brush,

A clearing and unpainted shack,

A slow trot with no rush.

She sat there in her rockin’ chair,

Coffee black her skin,

Braided snow white was her hair,

And a happy, gleaming grin.

C’mon boys it’s time to eat,

Got a possum in my pot,

As she rose up upon her feet,

I’ll share the lunch I’ve got.

Thanks but we must move along,

She smiled and said okay,

But I felt something oh so strong,

I remember to this day.

She said y’all wait before you go,

And then she went inside,

Came back with corn bread, don’t you know,

She had wrapped up with pride.

That buttered pone was mighty good,

She gave us each a piece,

And then she prayed right where she stood,

I felt a sweet release,

Of all the things that bothered me,

When that old lady prayed,

No doubt her boldness was the key,

When her request she made.

Alive and in her right mind,

She called the Good Lord’s name,

Prayed the cattle we would find,

Meet every need the same.

Then she said a low amen,

With one hand in the air,

She spoke to Him as if to kin,

I felt His presence there.

I’ve often thought about that day,

That woman and that place,

With very little else to say,

Except we felt God’s grace.

So little of this earthly wealth,

But oh how well she fared,

With little more than aging health,

And the corn bread that she shared.

I only rode back once that way,

I did not find her there,

It seemed that she had moved away,

I had no idea where.

Out there cowboys huntin’ strays,

Were blessed, I won’t forget,

See her face all of my days,

And can taste that corn bread yet.

“‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.’” (Luke 21:3-4, NLT)

Giving is a big deal to God. Why? Because when we are generous it shows our thankfulness for God’s generosity. The widow who gave sacrificially the little she had got Jesus’ attention. Compared to the religious people who gave a bigger amount for show, she gave much more. We should ask God to show us ways to generously bless others. Someone has said we make a living by what we get, but make a life by what we give. No doubt it’s true.

Lord, teach us how to give, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.