"Once Upon a Saddle"

Once upon a saddle,

They pointed to the cattle,

I thought I’d shake and rattle,

When they sent me for to go.

And I was just a green one,

But bound to find a mean one,

And pretty soon I seen one,

Stampedin’ from the flow.

I thought by gosh I’ll catch him,

At least I thought I’d fetch him,

Might rope and tie and stretch him,

But he had other plans.

Turned out to be a wild wreck,

I roped him ‘round his wild neck,

The others saw, I now ‘spect,

Those wiser, better hands.

The reason they were watchin’,

That old steer was hop-scotchin’,

And my cowboy work a-botchin’,

‘Cause we went down a hill.

And then we went to slidiin’,

And there was no denyin’,

Downhill hard, fast stridin’,

A set-up for a spill.

A somersault in mid-air,

That steer went sky-born I swear,

And me and my old paint mare,

We flipped right over, too.

What could have been real tragic,

We bounced back up like magic,

And I thought it fantastic,

When that whole scene was through.

They heel looped that old outlaw,

Removed my rope from his jaw,

And pushed him up a long draw,

Where all the cattle went.

I rode and did what they said,

Go get those yonder six head,

Followed just where they led,

That’s how that day was spent.

And maybe learned a lesson,

And this I am confessin’,

It’s so much less distressin’,

What I say to you is true.

To ride and learn to listen,

To those with cowboy wisdom,

That old hand and this ‘un,

They’ll show you what to do.

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life…” (Proverbs 19:20, NLT)

The people who need wisdom the most often won’t receive it. They are not aware of their need, and their arrogance makes them unteachable. Some children are like that, and if they are indulged will have great difficulty in life. Some adults are like that, and are so swollen with pride think they’ve forgotten more than the rest of us know. Those who have the humility to listen are able to learn for the rest of their lives. They are constantly asking God to send them the counsel they need to solve problems, meet challenges and accomplish their goals in life. All authentic leaders are learners. Listen to God’s wisdom. Apply it, with God’s help. Share what God has helped you to learn.

Lord, give us Your wisdom, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Steve Boaldin, artofacowboy.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Steve, and God bless you.