"Generation”

His middle’s somewhat thicker,

But there’s no need to bicker,

He still has his nicker,

  Though he’s no rookie now.

Pulls on his boots and hat down,

Throws a leg and rides ‘round,

Finds his peace far from town,

  And he’s survived somehow.

Old cowboys are a strange breed,

They won’t admit what they need,

And that’s to live out their creed,

   Right down to the end.

They’re jaded by the changes,

And this world’s rearranges,

His sanity deranges,

   When their stress makes him contend.

Appreciates the old ways,

His labor done for short pays,

But he’ll stick with it always,

   It’s just the man he is.

Riding for the brand, see,

Is all he does or can be,

His loyalty keeps him free,

   From something less than this.

He might not get to church much,

But with the Lord he’s in touch,

And religious nonsense, all such,

   Is not his cup of tea.

But loves the Lord from his heart,

With neighbors, too, does his part,

It’s grace that gave him his start,

   And it will always be.

“One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty works.” (Psalm 145:4, NIV)

Every cowboy I know was taught by a more experienced hand who knew what he was doing. Yes, some things we cannot learn except through our own experience of trial and error. But what a head-start it can be when an older cowboy takes a younger one under his wing to show him the ropes. The same is true spiritually. Nothing can replace a personal relationship with Jesus, and some things we just have to learn through our own decisions and actions. But it’s a great blessing when one generation mentors another in the ongoing purpose of God. It’s the way God intends things to be.

Lord, help us pass the spiritual torch to the next generation, in Jesus’ name.

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