"Horseback Way"

The times a-horseback come to me,

Float back through my memory,

From my first rides when I was three,

And right down to this day.

Life defined by equine friends,

Seeing through the cowboys’ lens,

On desert trails, ‘round river bends,

Wherever cattle lay.

I toed a stirrup, lifted rein,

And wondered if it was the same,

For those who traveled ‘cross this plain,

A long, long time ago.

Connections you can’t help but feel,

With all of them and here’s the deal,

Say what you want but it is real,

It took some time to know.

That all the time spent on a horse,

I mean by that astride of course,

Carries a nostalgic force,

That cannot be denied.

Whether hunt or war or drive,

Made by men to stay alive,

Or simply old ways to revive,

From them we best not hide.

The horseback way is with us still,

And what it brings they cannot kill,

Traditions strengthened, always will,

At least that’s what we pray.

The horseback man atop his steed,

With very little else his need,

And none can match the way he’s freed,

On any horseback day.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10, NLT)

The super-abundant life is what Jesus came to give us. This looks differently with different people. One of the greatest pleasures of my life is to be able to enjoy horses. But whatever excites and blesses us the thing to remember is where it comes from. We ultimately give God the glory for every good thing He sends our way, holding it with an open hand and heart. It’s all meant to be a blessing to us and others! When we know He authors the abundant life we can enjoy it without guilt and become a catalyst of blessing, too.

Lord, help us to bless others the way You have bless us, in Jesus’ name.

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