"Couple"

She found herself a cowboy,

But then she wondered why,

She would take a chance on him,

When others she passed by.

She was a godly woman,

Knew Jesus Christ the Lord,

She only wanted blessing,

To live life by His word.

And she was just as willing,

To say no to this man,

As she had always done before,

According to God’s plan.

But see, she liked this cowboy,

And so when all alone,

Asked if he thought about her,

How he would be at home.

And not a lustful woman,

But wondering if when,

They might make a happy match,

Praying now and then.

And then he rode to see her,

With flowers in his hand,

Treated her with manners,

He was far more than a fan.

So what started as acquainted,

Became a strong friendship,

And after just about a year,

His kiss upon her lips,

Showed they were a couple,

Engaged and later wed,

Vowed that death would part them,

Married till they’re dead.

And that’s the way it happened,

She the first to go,

Sixty-three years later,

He cried and missed her so.

He stayed for almost five years more,

They say so he could ride,

One more colt to start when he,

Had just passed ninety-five.

Then he, too, crossed that river,

To find her smile so fair,

She hugged and handed him the reins,

They ride with Jesus there.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself…” (Rev. 19:7, NLT)

All of us are thankful when we see a married couple who has stayed together for many years. For many of us it did not turn out that way, but we appreciate it nonetheless. Marriage on earth is to be an illustration of the ultimate eternal marriage of Jesus to us, the church. This life is not about this life but about the life to come. All that happens here is designed to prepare us for an eternity there. After my mother died recently at the age of ninety-four, I sat thinking about her and all she meant to me through the years. She was the very first to tell me about Jesus. As I was thinking and praying I caught a glimpse of her in heaven, about eighteen years old, eyes and hair shining in the sun. She rode a galloping horse, and was looking over her shoulder smiling back at Jesus who rode alongside and slightly behind here. They were laughing! The amazing thing is that in my whole, entire life I never saw my mother ride a horse. She loved them and loved that we rode them, but never rode. But there she was, riding with Jesus! Heaven is going to be a wonderful, eternal marriage to Jesus! And He’s coming back on a white horse…

Lord, prepare us to be eternally married to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.