"Gallop"

When I was young and growing up,

We had just one TV,

Everything in black and white,

Three channels we could see.

My children cannot fathom,

The way it was back then,

We had our favorite TV shows,

Knew what day and when.

The ones I liked were westerns,

Roy and Dale and Gene,

Hop-along and Cisco,

The best that’s ever been.

Never would miss Gunsmoke,

With long, tall Marshall Dillon,

Miss Kitty, Doc and Festus,

Each week was always thrillin’.

But one thing I remember,

About those early days,

Lots of times they galloped,

Chasin’ place to place.

When we were tendin’ cattle,

We never moved that fast,

I wondered why we went so slow,

Not like the TV cast.

Dad would say “go easy,”

Make that first push count,

Don’t get in a hurry,

With your gather or your mount.

I find in that a lesson,

About life’s frantic pace,

Maybe we shouldn’t treat it,

Like such a hurried race.

Running past the blessings,

That God wants us to see,

Because we’re at a gallop,

It’s not how life should be.

Slow down and rein it in a bit,

At least down to a trot,

Who knows you may enjoy it,

It’s maybe worth a shot.

And when you look back on it,

You’ll be thankful you slowed down,

And got to live each moment,

As each one rolls around.

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom…” (Psalm 90:12, NLT)

The older translation says “teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering one’s days means we learn to value each one, realizing they will soon be over. We don’t feel that way when we are younger. But as the years pass we begin to see our physical limits and mortality. Sadly, some folks desperately resist aging and waste precious time trying to hold onto youthfulness. There is nothing quite so pitiful as an older man or woman constantly trying to appear younger than they are. And there is something to be said for making peace with every season of life, and receiving the wisdom from God to maximize every stage. Slowing down doesn’t mean we’re getting older, it means we’re getting better. Life at a gallop is too rushed. The day is a gift. Value and enjoy it. Amen.

Lord, help us to number our days, in Jesus’ name.

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