"Counsel"

She sat there asking questions,

About my long ago,

To help sort out life’s troubles,

I guess it helps to know.

She asked who were the people,

That said you were okay,

Besides of course your Mama,

Who loved you everyday.

But who gave you the feedback,

That told you as a kid,

Gave praise and encouragement,

About the things you did.

I had to think about it,

‘Cause I never had before,

And then at once it hit me,

I remembered more and more.

That it always was the cowboys,

Working for my Dad,

Who took the time to help me,

And give me what they had.

Like how to doctor cattle,

They explained it all to me,

And when I did a good job,

They’d say so, don’t you see.

They’d always whoop and holler,

If I ever caught a steer,

Made me feel important,

And welcome to be near.

They’d coach me ‘bout the horses,

And praise me when I tried,

They never lost their temper,

Or scolded otherwise.

They sometimes would tease me,

If I had a sweet girlfriend,

But it was done good-naturedly,

They never did intend,

To ever be too hard on me,

The way my Daddy did,

He was rushed and angry,

I often ran and hid.

So, yes, it was the cowboys,

And she said, don’t you see,

That’s why you are a cowboy,

It’s plain as it can be.

Your DNA of growing up,

Was shaped by all those men,

They sowed themselves into you,

And that’s why way back when,

You knew that you’re a cowboy,

For you it is a fact,

You cannot be somebody else,

‘Cause you cannot back track,

And change the ones who shaped you,

Into something new,

It would be a waste of time,

And nothing you should do.

So listen up, my brother,

And hear me, sisters, too,

It matters ‘bout the seeds we sow,

And what we say, it’s true.

We can shape a person’s life,

By the praise we give,

We can affect who they become,

And how they choose to live.

Sow the seeds of God’s love,

With generosity,

Don’t begrudge encouragement,

And pray that they can see,

That in God’s eyes they matter,

Their value is so high,

Determined by the price He paid,

When Jesus had to die.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…” (Heb. 10:25, NLT)

Connecting with one another gives us opportunity to encourage one another. Maybe that’s not always what you felt from other believers in Christ. Perhaps you felt judged or, worse still, ignored altogether. If so, let me encourage you not to give up. There are people who care, and praying that the Lord will lead you to them is one He is sure to answer. Why? Because He knows what we need and it is His will to supply us in this way. This is especially true with children and young people. The encouragement we give to them shapes their lives for the better. Just as the cowboys shaped my life, I have asked the Lord to help me shape others. I mentioned in the poem that my Dad was unable or unwilling to do that for me. I want to say that before the Lord called him to heaven he became someone who I enjoyed being with and talking to, even though when I was younger it didn’t happen. All that to say it’s not about who didn’t but who did, and who will give us encouragement, and who we can share it with. Let your own need for encouragement motivate you to encourage others, especially those who need it most.

Lord, help us encourage those who need it most, in Jesus’ name.

Art by JaNeil Anderson, janeilanderson.com. Used by permission. Thanks, JaNeil, and God bless you.