"Pop"

An old-timey hat crease,

With sweat stains and old grease,

And faded, old pearl-snap shirt,

He was quiet and steady,

But we wondered if ready,

To deal with wild cows on our dirt.

We asked where he hailed from,

Defuniak said he’d come,

We could call those who knew him back there,

An old cattle hunter,

Rode winter and summer,

For years caught wild cows without care.

We knew that he couldn’t,

Or maybe he shouldn’t,

Try to do things he once did,

But an old-timey cracker,

I’m a young whipper-snapper,

His name for me was just “kid.”

We all called him “Pop,” 

Never gave pause or stopped,

The young cowboys chuckled and winked,

But he never reacted,

Or showed it impacted,

What all he could do, never blinked.

So Dad let him come on,

And thought he might be wrong,

For hiring one as old as he,

But soon we received it,

Though hard to believe it,

Showed how an old stockman could be.

He just knew the cattle,

On foot or the saddle,

But rarely spoke up ‘less you asked,

I watched and learned from him,

Followed weavin’ and bobbin’,

I remember, though decades have passed.

And you might be thinkin’,

As feelings start sinkin’,

What happened to my cracker friend?

But all I remember,

Was a good cattle-tender,

Think he went back to Florida then.

In my mind I see him,

Old Pop’s bent down hat brim,

A slidin’ to haze a wild cow,

He made an impression,

And patient with questions,

Gave good puncher wisdom somehow.

Now as I get older,

My style and my shoulders,

Bear the brunt of the cow work I’ve done,

And I’m the old-timer,

Still a cowboy and rhymer,

A-whoopin’ and spurring,’ old son.

Lord, help me give grace to,

The young ones who race to,

The buckle they all want to win,

Maybe slower, but steady,

Help me always be ready,

To encourage, like Pop did, back when.

“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding…” (Proverbs 2:2, NLT)

Wisdom can be elusive, so the Bible counsels us to concentrate and be proactive about getting it. So many people don’t. Otherwise successful, as measured by the world, they never seem to find the things that matter most. Pride is part of the problem, and they refuse to learn from those who’ve been there and done that. God sends people into our lives who can teach us what we need to learn, if we’re willing to listen. And that’s just the rub, isn’t it? Being willing and teachable and humble enough to receive what others are willing to give. Some of the best advice I’ve ever received is to find someone who is doing what you would like to do, and study them. This applies to both practical and spiritual life. God promises wisdom. Get some.

Lord, help us receive the wisdom You want to give us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Shawn Cameron, shawncameron.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Shawn, and God bless you.