"So Long"

That cowboy whom we’re glad to know,

And often won the rodeo,

Has now passed on, his time to go,

It’s hard to say, “So long.”

It makes us sad and wonder why,

The good ones seem too young to die,

And yet it’s best by grace to try,

To let God keep us strong.

So welcome each new day God grants,

And help us, Lord, with all our “can’ts,”

‘Specially when life’s shadow slants,

And we get to the end.

No one knows when that will be,

Our days are numbered, don’t you see,

But cowboy up, His truth sets free,

Soon heaven will begin.

“…we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope…” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NLT)

We grieve when people die, but not like those who have no faith in God. Their grief is real, but does not possess the confidence and peace that the Lord is in control and they can trust Him. This is in no way a put down to unbelievers. In fact it is meant to encourage people who don’t know the Lord to put their trust in Him. And for those who do, it’s a reminder to keep your hope where it belongs, in the Lord, His promises, and eternity. These are hard good-byes, but they are not final. We grieve, but not without hope.

Lord, give us comfort and hope when we grieve, in Jesus’ name.

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