"Old Wisdom"

I still love the old ways,

From cowboy skills back when,

Stories told from those days,

Make me wonder some and then,

If when the old ones leave us,

Will we soon forget,

What their stories teach us,

‘Bout things we don’t know yet.

And, no, in spite of everything,

We still have much to learn,

Those yesterdays their truth bring,

Don’t let those bridges burn.

We’ve said good-bye to Ian,

To Baxter, Buster, too,

Old Don Edwards leavin’,

Was hard to bear, it’s true.

Larry Mahan’s up there ridin’,

With many that we knew.

And I’m honestly confidin’,

We miss ‘em all, it’s true.

So let’s listen to the stories,

Of the oldsters when they share,

About their cowboy glories,

And what happened way back there.

And maybe  God will grant us,

Some wisdom that we need,

Don’t let what’s new enchant us,

But learn from that old breed.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NAS)

Wisdom is when you understand what you ought to do or stop doing. Wisdom is applied knowledge that is true. Wisdom can be found in scripture, but it’s the Holy Spirit who shows us how to practically live it out. Wisdom is also given through those who have experienced enough of life that we can benefit from their experience. Often these are older people who have gone through many battles and have stories to tell. The bottom line is that God invites us to ask for wisdom, and He promises to be generous and give it to us. If you need it you can get it.

Lord, give us wisdom, in Jesus ‘name.

Art by Kenneth Wyatt, used by permissioin.