"Cowboy Ballad"

What must a cowboy ballad be,

To be the one true deal,

What must all those lines contain,

So you can tell it’s real.

Well, guess it must have cattle,

Without them what’s the use,

Best if they’re wild and crazy,

And out there on the loose.

Then you’ve got a story,

Horseback’s the only way,

That you will ever get ‘em back,

Or cowboys get to play.

Let’s see now, got the cattle,

And the horses, cowboys, too,

Throw in the old chuck wagon,

And the campfire Tim Cox drew.

And maybe there’s a lady,

She’s the owner’s only child,

And she’s bright and really pretty,

Sassy, somewhat wild.

And all the cowboys love her,

And dream of what won’t be,

And then a lyin’ tinhorn,

Who’s moving in, you see.

Then a cowboy with a moustache,

Who looks like Monte Walsh,

Rides in to protect her,

And proves what’s true and false.

And at least one horse that’s buckin’,

You’ve got to throw that in,

And at least a little ropin’,

And some shootin’ won’t hurt then.

But you don’t want complicated,

it’s a simple cowboy tale,

Tinged always with sadness,

‘Bout what once was, don’t fail,

To say that lonesome cowboy,

‘Long ‘bout sunset rides away,

Romance is just a subplot,

And you don’t have to say,

If Dillon wed Miss Kitty,

Or ever settled down,

Had ten kids and grandkids,

Out on the edge of town.

But if you’re feelin’ dicey,

You might throw God right in,

And explain that He’s the answer,

For every cowboy’s sin.

And now you know the reason,

I even write these lines,

It’s simply just to get you,

To consider every time,

That Jesus is the Savior,

And He died for all,

And He always saves us,

If on Him we call.

To me the greatest story,

And every cowboy tale,

Should be the inspiration,

For heaven and not hell.

So, cowboy, think about it,

Before you turn the page,

Because this cowboy ballad,

Is meant your soul to save.

“…whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved…” (Rom. 10:13, NKJV)

People seem to love stories, beginning as children. Mine would ask me to tell them the story I had told them many times before, and if I left anything out, they would remind me. Now my grandkids do that. There’s something about a story that sticks with us and that we remember, especially if we connect with it emotionally. I believe that’s why Jesus told stories to communicate the truth of God’s Kingdom. This poem illustrates the point that there are components that make a good cowboy story, and though a little tongue-in-cheek, you probably remember western songs, movies, or books that contain those themes. The ultimate life-changing story, the Story of stories, is about Jesus. I want all my stories to point to Him, because He saves, heals, delivers and transforms people’s lives. Whoever calls on His name shall be saved. That’s the best news of all, and the best story to tell.

Lord, help us to tell the story of Your salvation, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, billantonstudio.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.