"Country Blessings"

I stand up in my stirrups,

And through my horse’s ears,

I see God’s country blessings,

So faithful through the years.

I see fences rimming pastures,

Where we cut and baled the hay,

Tanks all filled with water,

And on any given day,

Deer slidin’ through the thickets,

And wild turkey, yonder, too,

Quail calling to each other,

And the turtledove’s soft coo.

I watch those longhorn cattle,

Bred for color and for horn,

Speckled with their camouflage,

For generations worn.

And those black baldy heifers,

Sure to gain the needed weight,

Producing tasty protein,

First the grill and then the plate.

I see mamas nursing baby colts,

Manes flying on the wind,

The future cattle dancers,

Raised to be a cowboy’s friend.

The sun and sky and rain and land,

Sunrises and sunsets,

The sacred, holy darkness,

Texas nights the best, you bet.

All of this and so much more,

Each day with blessings new,

To share this life with one I love,

And know she loves me, too.

I praise the Lord for country life,

And for the cowboy way,

I praise the Lord for horseback views,

That we see everyday.

”Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4, NAS)

What a delightful promise! If we love Him, focus on Him and serve Him with all our hearts, it positions us to receive special blessings from the Lord. We know that He will supply our needs. But beyond that He will give us our heart’s desire. The truth of it is that God shapes our desires to reflect His perfect will for us. Anything we wish would happen we place in His hands. But He loves His kids and wants to bless us. My heart’s desire was for country blessings. Yours might be something else entirely. But when Jesus is Lord when can trust Him to give us His highest and best.

Lord, help us to delight in You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Steve Boaldin, used by permission. Thanks, Steve, and God bless you.