"Drifter"

The ad said good gray gelding,

I went to check him out,

You never know until you see,

What an equine is about.

But I rode him and I liked him,

We really got along,

His name Jamaica Drifter,

I bought him for a song.

For years he was my go to,

For prowling cattle and to catch,

He knew what he was doing,

And was very hard to match.

Campin’ in cold weather,

Or on a wild cow hunt,

At some old team roping,

He was always out in front.

The time came when the calling,

Of the Lord came strong to me,

Requiring me to sell my place,

And make a move you see.

Loaded up old Drifter,

And had to say good-bye,

Along with two young ponies,

Had a teardrop in my eye.

And now all these years later,

Since nineteen eighty-five,

Preached in many places,

Found grace to live and thrive.

I’ve owned some really good ones,

Still have a string of three,

Belle and Scout and Big Boy,

So clearly blessed you see.

But I won’t forget that gray horse,

That meant so much to me,

A great old friend and partner,

In my best memory.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (James 1:17, NLT)

God is for us, not against us, and delights in blessing us. He gives us wonderful gifts. But the best way to show our gratitude is to give them back to Him. That way we are not led astray into idolatry. By holding every gift with an open hand we are free to enjoy it. And then if the Lord requires us to make a change we do not argue with Him because we have learned how to steward rather than own what He gives. Whatever we own, owns us. But whatever we steward is ours to enjoy.

Lord, teach us to steward our blessings well, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.