"Strait"
If you’ve ever had to put one down,
You know the pain you feel,
To say good-bye to your old pard,
The grief is very real.
One who gave you all his best,
And was more than a mount,
But bonded with you as a friend,
Too many times to count.
Did the things you asked of them,
To do the work or play,
And what you’d give to saddle up,
And ride them one more day.
Old Strait had been that horse to me,
With me all the way,
But for the last year or so,
Was sick and all I say,
I hated when that last day came,
But knew it was the end,
To say good-bye to suffering,
I knew he’d never mend.
Pulled the trigger, dug the grave,
Laid him there to rest,
Of all the horses I have known,
He was the very best.
I may have to say good-bye,
To others that I ride,
But I will tell this my last,
And in you I’ll confide,
Someone else must do it,
If that time comes again,
No more chore like that for me,
Their suffering to end.
Lord, I’ll say I’m thankful,
For the years that he gave me,
And when I ride another,
I will always thankful be,
For good horses and good memories,
And times that I’ll relive,
And comfort from the Lord above,
And all the peace He’ll give.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that can comfort others…” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)
Life can be very sad. When we go through sad times the only real comfort comes from the Lord. He is able to heal our hurts, soothe our fevered emotions, and give us peace. When we give Him the burden He does not make always make it go completely away, but He gives us the grace to go through it and not be overwhelmed. What hurts you may not be the same for me, but pain is part of the human condition. Ans when we have experienced God’s comfort, we can then pass it along to others. When we do, it becomes proof again that God uses even the worst heartbreak for His glory and our good.
Lord, help us to comfort others with the comfort we have received from You, in Jesus’ name.
Personal photo of Strait at cowboy church service, Oak Hollow Farms, Fairhope, Alabama.