"Strait"

The tears came down, we dug a hole,

And laid old Strait to rest,

A better horse I never rode,

No doubt he was the best.

A shady place, the river close,

The grass grows green and strong,

He did all that I asked him to,

We really got along.

Buckskin dark and white blaze face,

Athletic, cowy, quick,

In pastures wide and trails so long,

We rode through thin and thick.

When life was changing, seemed to know,

Stayed till I was all right,

And finally too weak to stand,

His sweet old soul took flight.

I still ride good horses yet,

And plan to till I die,

We take good care but can’t control,

When we say good-bye.

But when that good one comes along,

You know that you’ve been blessed,

One or two in your whole life,

Old Strait, he sure impressed.

He’s been gone awhile now,

But I ride him in my mind,

I recall the day I bought him,

Even then, a special find.

Just a poem to remember,

That old pony and a friend,

Rest well, old son, you did your best,

Right until the end.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”(2 Corinthians 1:3, NAS)

It’s good to know, and even better to experience. God is the “Father of mercies.” For the longest time I had no idea what that meant. I thought God was angry and disappointed, and i dreaded one day facing His judgment. But He’s a Father of mercies. He knows me, and there’s no excuse for my sin, yet He gives me mercy because I’ve put my faith in Jesus, His Son. This gives me access to His comfort. When we go through painful, sorrowful, heartbreaking things God always comes through to help us feel better. He comforts us with peace, the assurance that He’s always with us, and that He will always give us what we need. Mercies and comfort. Thank God.

Lord, help us depend upon Your mercy and comfort, in Jesus’ name.

Personal photo.