"Cowboy Keen"

Sometimes they call it savvy,

When he ropes one from the cavvy,

But I just want to say it’s cowboy keen.

‘Cause eye and hand together,

No matter what the weather,

Do things that many folks have never seen.

He can read the cattle,

While riding in the saddle,

And single out the one that’s lookin’ sick.

Drop a loop to doctor,

And quiet, never shocked her,

Got it done and turned her loose so quick.

I’ve seen ‘em with a young horse,

Getting started on the right course,

Anticipate exactly what he needs.

Turns out at the finish,

His spirit won’t diminish,

Because he’s planted all of the right seeds.

You ask how did he learn it,

It’s more certain it’s an earn it,

From all the time he’s spent so far from town.

Cowboy keen’s a lifestyle,

It really takes a long while,

For anyone to ever get it down.

But when they do you know it,

Because they quietly show it,

They’re never one to brag or make a boast.

Thankful for a cowboy living,

The blessing God keeps giving,

And feel their life is better off than most.

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your own hands, just as we instructed you before. (1 Thessalonians 4:11, NLT)

Not everybody can or should be a cowboy. But we do need to learn the value of work and how God will use it. First, it gives us an opportunity to fill our time with something that matters because it provides for us a living. Second, if we work responsibly, it earns the respect of unbelievers and gives us an opportunity to lead them to Christ. Third, and finally, it enables us to support ourselves and give generously, while escaping the need to depend on others to give us what we need. All these and more make it important for us to see work as something that honors God and helps us impact others with the Good News.

Lord, teach us the value and blessing of work, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.