"Gather"

When the herd’s all penned and counted,

Calves branded, doctored fine,

And we go back for the wild ones,

And then uncoil our twine,

If you hesitate, you lose ‘em,

You gotta spur on up,

There’s a time to do things slowly,

Late with these, you’re outta luck.

‘Cause these old cows are wily,

They know how to stay hid,

That’s why we didn’t see ‘em,

Made our gather like we did.

So when we finally find ‘em,

They scatter to the wind,

You gotta ride right to ‘em,

Or you won’t see them again.

And sometimes things get western,

When you’re roping them old cows,

Sometimes they’ll want to fight a horse,

And protect their calves somehow.

But that’s when everybody,

Works hard as a team,

Try to help the ones in trouble,

‘Cause at times that’s where we’ve been.

And right there where we get ‘em caught,

We do what must be done,

Cut and brand and ear tag,

After we end their run.

And they don’t give shiny buckles,

For going after these,

But it’s all a part of what we do,

To cowboy, if you please,

And I find there a lesson,

For going after those,

We find it hard to gather,

They’re hiding, I suppose.

And if we don’t go looking,

They might be lost for good,

So spur up and get ready,

And love ‘em like we should.

There’s many a weary traveler,

Who came home like the rest,

When someone didn’t give up,

But prayed, and did their best.

To reach out to the wild ones,

And say, we’ve come for you,

Because there was a time when,

Someone came and found us, too.

So, Lord, please bless our gather,

So we let none get away,

But bring ‘em home to You, Lord,

In Jesus’ name we pray.

“For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners…” (Matthew 9:13, NLT)

Jesus was criticized for associating with notorious sinners. This practice scandalized the religious leaders who would never expose themselves to the ‘uncleanness” of those who broke God’s law. Of course all of us are lawbreakers, in one way or another. But since some are more obvious and less judicious in their sinning, they become the ones who draw the most fire from those who want to judge them. Jesus made it clear He came to seek out those who needed healing. And He sends us to do the same.

Lord, send us to those who need Your healing grace, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mike Capron, mikecapron.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mike, and God bless you.