"Desire"

I grew up cattle-ranching,

My Dad and cowboy crew,

A-horseback, never branching,

Out from all I really knew.

I never thought about it,

Or how the heck I’d feel,

If I had to do without it,

That option seemed unreal.

But couldn’t make a living,

A-horseback way out there,

And though I had misgivings,

A job in town somewhere,

Was what it took to make it,

For the family and the kids,

But a cowboy cannot fake it,

Though a town job’s what I did.

The years and decades later,

The kids got grown and gone,

I could think of nothing greater,

Than my cowboy roots so long.

So said good-bye to everyone,

And off to Texas went,

I found a special someone,

No doubt the Good Lord sent.

Now in the heart of Texas,

The country is our home,

A pick-up, not a Lexus,

No need to further roam.

Me with my Texas beauty,

The horses and the land,

I know I did my duty,

And have God’s blessing grand.

He said if we delight in Him,

He gives our heart’s desire,

And in my heart I’ve always been,

A horseback hand for hire.

So that is how I’m living,

Oh, and one more thing,

Have lots of thanksgiving,

‘Cause on Sunday morning bring,

A word to all who gather,

Down at the Cowboy Church,

And Lord knows I would rather,

Help others in their search,

For all that really matters,

It’s life in Christ above,

He brings back what is scattered,

And fills us with His love.

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires…” (Psalm 37:4, NLT)

Delighting in the Lord means we put Him above everything else. We love Him with all our hearts and surrender control to Him. We say yes to His will and no to our own plans. If we do, two things happen over time. One is that He changes our lives, and our desires mirror what He wants for us. Two, He gives us the desire of our hearts. This is tricky business, especially if you’re like me and second guess everything. But it’s really true. He either changes our desire or fulfills our desire. Either way, we find our ultimate happiness and contentment in Him.

Lord, help us to delight in You, above everyone and everything else, in Jesus’ name.

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