"Lift Me"

The wind lifted my spirits,

It dried up last night’s tears,

Offered me a brand new day,

And drove out all my fears.

Reins in hand long-trotted,

Across the sagebrush sea,

To look for branded cattle,

And see which needed me.

To rope and maybe doctor,

To give a shot or two,

Whatever they need doing,

I’ll see if I can do.

I’ll check on all the water,

I’ll ride part of the fence,

There was a place where they got out,

It might need mendin’ since.

I’ll stop and have some dinner,

Down on the canyon floor,

I’ll pull off my old saddle,

And later ride some more.

And if I can I’ll finish,

That circle I have planned,

Get back in time for supper,

I believe I just might can.

And I won’t let depression,

Pull my old heart down,

Like it has on nights before,

When I drove to drink in town.

But now I’ll read the Good Book,

Get on my knees and pray,

And ask the Lord to help me,

Keep discouragement at bay.

And my biggest challenge,

Is thinking at this stage,

I really should have done much more,

But haven’t though my age,

Tells me life is slipping,

And passing endlessly,

Will soon enough be over,

More than halfway gone you see.

But then I think the Savior,

He understands me well,

And if I listen closely,

These words I hear Him tell,

That He’s for me, not against me,

And He will use all things,

For my good and His glory,

Redeeming grace He brings.

And I can trust Him always,

So I’ll do my best to trust,

As I make my circle,

But faithing is a must.

So help me, Lord, and lift me,

Just like when that old wind,

Lifts up my low spirits,

Your peace and grace please send.

“May our Lord Jesus Himself…encourage your hearts and strengthen you…” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NIV)

The Lord wants to encourage us and build us up. He wants us to feel His strength and the power of His Spirit. He wants to change our mood, renew our minds, and redirect our actions. The Lord works to empower us to live on purpose, and not waste time or energy on trivial pursuits. The Lord wants to make us feel better about who we are, and make peace with who we have been and what needs to change. The Lord wants us to engage in the process of spiritual growth, and let the Holy Spirit fill us to overflowing. He wants all this for us, and the key to receiving it is to be humble about our need for it. Humility triggers grace. If you’re down and struggling, cry out to the Lord. He will hear you and answer you. The Lord is a fountain of grace and encouragement for those who humbly call on Him.

Lord, lift our spirits and encourage us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mary Ross Buchholz, maryrossbuchholz.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mary Ross,