"Cow Hunt"

Some will never know, how it feels to go,

On a cow hunt for the wild ones long gone,

But to that tribe, and to some still alive,

I can truly say that I belong.

Out there I went, because I was sent,

By a cowman both so strict and shrewd,

And the words that he said, could not be misread,

And were often so loud and plumb rude.

Jut bring ‘em back, you’d best never slack,

When time came to get the thing done,

Search till you find, ‘cause we’re way behind,

And we don’t just do this for fun.

But twas fun for me, because don’t you see,

I rode out as part of a crew,

Strong in the saddle, out looking for cattle,

And do what Dad told us to do.

Then in the dark, a-horseback we’d park,

And wait for the day’s early light,

Some cigarettes lit, while the rest would just sit,

Till the morning would chase away night.

We’d sometimes hear, the steers movin’ near,

We hoped ‘fore they fled to the brush,

We could catch ‘em for sure, not have to endure,

The thickets nearby in a rush.

We’d ease quietly about, and in silence no doubt,

With all our loops tied hard and fast,

Spread out just so, that when time to go,

No wild ones our horses could pass.

Then western and wild, for just a short while,

It was gettin’ there quick, make a throw,

And if you had luck, and your horse didn’t buck,

You’d catch every wild one, you know.

With black coffee then, after we trotted in,

There was laughter and stories to tell,

‘Bout this one or that, and how the rope sat,

And when that old pony ‘bout fell.

Those old cowboy days, and cow-catching ways,

Are etched in my memory quite clear,

Back when I was young, and had only begun,

To learn how to catch an old steer.

Yes, a long time ago, but still I know,

A cowboy I wanted to be,

When old Daddy would say, did y’all get ‘em okay,

Yessir, and then he’d smile at me.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

We all have special memories of things we got to do and places we went that give us enjoyment. We also may have regrets and sadness over things that bring us pain. Either way, God’s promise is that He uses everything! What a relief this is! He uses the good things and the bad things for our good and His glory. He’s always working according to His purposes and calling for us. We may not always see it immediately, but eventually we will understand that God’s invisible hand held it all together.

Lord, help us realize You work through everything, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jason Rick, used by permission. Thanks, Jason, and God bless you.