"Fence Jumper"

I don’t know why she did it,

When she ran and jumped the fence,

But I never did forget it,

I’ve remembered ever since.

And Dad sent me to find her,

But that cow, she went and hid,

I was always  way behind her,

When she escaped the way she did.

But I kept on a-lookin’,

Saw cow tracks now and then,

That old hussy was a-bookin’,

Whenever Dad would send,

Me one more time to find her,

But I knew we’d never quit,

I thought Dad should be kinder,

And just let her go- that’s it.

Maybe six months later,

Leavin’ early from the ranch,

Thought today that ruminator,

We’ll give her one more chance.

And horseback through the darkness,

With the moon still in its place,

Ropes on ready and regardless,

If we see her we’ll give chase.

And there she was a-grazin’,

Perty calf right by her side,

Whoop and spur a-blazin’,

Cowboy up before she hides.

Old Sid’s first shot he necked her,

And I quick caught the calf,

Just like that he decked her,

And we both had a laugh.

Straight to the sale we hauled ‘em,

And old Daddy sure was pleased,

Her craziness appalled ‘em,

That sale our stressfuls eased.

Sometimes that old fence-jumper,

Reminds me of back when,

Those days when I was younger,

And full of crazy then.

If I saw a fence I jumped it,

No cares and on the go,

Those who disapproved just lumped it,

‘Cause I didn’t care, you know.

Thank God He chased and sought me,

He wouldn’t let me go,

And at the cross He bought me,

Somehow He let me know,

His love one day would heal me,

And that’s just what He gave,

The devil couldn’t steal me,

‘Cause Jesus came to save.

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1 Timothy 1:15, NAS)

Paul wanted Timothy to know that the mission of Jesus was unchanging. It was one thing that should always be accepted and remembered: Jesus came into the world to save sinners. The salvation of sinners is what it’s all about, and it not, we’ve missed the point. Jesus’ death and resurrection was to forgive the unforgivable, heal the terminal, and accomplish the impossible. Paul knew because he had received it in spite of his past blasphemies and violence. If Paul could be saved, anyone could, and no one was beyond the grace.

Lord, help us to keep the main thing the main thing, in Jesus’ name.

Photo by J.L. Grief, used by permission. Thanks, John, and God bless you.