"Emu"

I stood up in my stirrups,

Just so I could see,

The strangest bird I ever saw,

Looking back at me.

It was a big old emu,

And one some neighbor had,

He jumped o’er all the fences,

Man, that bird was bad.

They sent us out to pen him,

Didn’t say just how,

And when our ponies saw him,

They lost their minds right now.

Some, they went to buckin’,

Bart’s mule ran away,

He barely got old Darla,

Reined back in that day.

Tried so hard to turn her,

Broke her old chin strap,

Cut a piece of hay string,

And shook out his old chap.

Meanwhile went the emu,

Like a fire on it had set,

I never knew those devils,

Could run that fast and yet,

Somehow we got around him,

Started the right way,

And that’s the last we saw him,

That’s all I have to say.

Love to claim I roped him,

But that would not be true,

Love to say Moore heeled him,

But neither did he do.

So what happened to that chicken,

We tried to pen that day,

Last seen two counties over,

And for me that’s okay.

I’ll stick to penning cattle,

And roping steers sometime,

I’ll drag calves to the fire,

And cowboy up just fine.

But some things are just better,

If we leave them alone,

And that includes the emus,

I hope they all stay home.

“How can light live with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14, NLT)

Sometimes we have to draw the line in our relationships. We are called to love everyone, live at peace, forgive all those who hurt us, and be a witness as much as possible. People who don’t know the Lord need love, and we’re the ones to give it. But, there are times when it’s just not safe to be around somebody. Perhaps they are a bad influence on us, or a temptation, or just don’t want to change. If we put ourselves at risk in the name of love, we are defeating God’s purpose for them and for us. That’s why this scripture asks the question how can light live with darkness? The question implies this reality: who is influencing who, in this situation? And if the darkness is winning it’s time to withdraw. Think about it. God will show you how.

Lord, help us to recognize Your boundaries, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, timcox.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.