"Rancher"

The rancher had been sick awhile,

The doctor sent him home,

The illness stole all of his smile,

Said get the preacher on the phone.

No doubt it surprised her some,

Though she knew that he believed,

But church, he rarely got it done,

Though grace he had received.

The old man lay abed too weak,

To do much more than rest,

She served a steak and kissed his cheek,

He said she was the best.

The preacher came, God’s word in hand,

And sat beside the bed,

He commenced to share the plan,

And saving scriptures read.

The rancher listened closely,

And then there at the end,

Said I know you wonder mostly,

If in heaven I will spend,

All of my forever,

Or if I’ll go to hell,

Concerned I guess I never,

Believed in Jesus, true to tell.

But I gave my life to Jesus,

A long, long time ago,

And I know that He sees us,

And I wanted you to know.

That, son, no doubt I know Him,

I asked you here today,

To make sure that we show Him,

When we gather soon to pray.

Let’s make it like a party,

With festive music played,

Nothing dull but hardy,

And make ‘em glad they stayed.

Show the thanks I’m feelin’,

As I think of all that’s been,

His power and His healin’,

On the day they wheel me in.

The preacher was a young man,

Not used to words like these,

But assured the rancher his plan,

Would be followed to the tees.

And that’s just how they did it,

With thankfulness and praise,

And no one dared forbid it,

As their hearts and hands were raised.

And from the Jordan’s saddle,

Astride his favorite mount,

The rancher viewed more cattle,

Than he could ever count.

And as he lifted rein to ride,

Whispered “preacher, you did well,”

I’m glad we let the Lord decide,

That His praise we all would tell.

And whenever they remember,

People still recall,

How they fanned the Spirit’s ember,

And the Good Lord touched them all.

“Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15, NKJV)

We all die unless we happen to be alive when Jesus returns. But unless that happens we are going to experience physical death. For those who know the Lord, death is a doorway into the eternal, heavenly dimension. It has no sting because Jesus removed it. The Psalmist recognized it was a precious moment when one of God’s children crosses over. The older I get the more people I know in heaven. My Uncle Roy was one of my spiritual mentors. When he died this verse was printed on the front of the church bulletin. Precious in His eyes! Precious, indeed.

Lord, make us ready to meet You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Clark Kelley Price, used by permission. Thanks, Clark, and God bless you.