"Rodeo Crossing"

He’d forgotten way more than most of them knew,

‘Bout what it would take and what you should do,

While tendin’ cows, and those horses, too,

He’d mutter and just shake his head.

Sittin’ in shadows, old and alone,

Lost in his memories, and up and down groan,

There was a time when his skills were well-known,

But most that once knew were all dead.

He put on his hat, jeans starched to the boot,

Went past the nurse station, she thought he was cute,

Gone out the back door, that was his route,

Where some had their smokes just outside.

Cranked his old truck in the parking lot then,

Glad that they left it just where it had been,

And down to the rodeo ground from back when,

Where so many had once seen him ride.

They’d just had the anthem and opening prayer,

And he was so glad that he made it down there,

Memories flooded, then he saw her, I swear,

The one who had stolen his heart.

She said, hey cowboy, where have you been,

I’ve been hoping that you’d come and see me again,

But how could it be her, his wife and his kin,

She really gave him a start.

And that’s where they found him, a smile on his face,

Sitting straight up in the stands of that  place,

It’s where he once started, now finished the race,

And now he’s crossed over, you see.

Many a hand with knowledge still there,

Sitting and waiting for someone to care.

They have their stories, and willing to share,

Come and just listen with me.

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

Sooner or later we all must deal with the reality of death. A loved one gets sick and dies unexpectedly. Someone is killed in a tragic accident. Or like my ninety-four year old mother, she went to sleep and didn’t wake up. Why is the death of God’s child precious to Him? It’s because at the moment of death they see for the first time what their faith has always seen! He loves us and will welcome us into His presence, in Jesus’ name! It’s an awesome expectation!

Lord, help us to live in eager anticipation of our first moment in heaven, in Jesus’ name.

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