COWGIRL

I’m an old western woman

A cowgirl through and through

But I’ve sold off all the cattle

Just kept a horse and a mule

My memories and photographs 

Of wild and wooly times

Remind me of the days gone by

When I was in my prime 

I still ride the old, familiar trails

The old mule knows them well

We’ve both begun to show our age 

But out there, No one Could tell. 

When I climb into the saddle

My heart and soul return

To the good times...cutting cattle 

Slapping leather, turn and burn. 

We have followed in the footsteps 

Of the girls from long ago

Who rode the broncs and wrestled steers

At the Pendleton Rodeo 

Now it’s time to pass the torch 

Our glory days have passed

Teach the young ones cowgirl ways 

So our traditions last

God’s Promise to Me

Forty years ago God gave me a vision while we were reading our morning devotionals at the kitchen table.   I saw distant mountains with a bright glow behind them. I asked, “Lord, What is this?” And a voice in my heart was so clear.....”This is my Glory shining for you on the other side of the mountains!”  This brief event remains as fresh in my memory as the day it occurred. 

Early this morning, doing devotionals at a table in my daughter’s  seventh floor  hospital room, I looked out the window and saw that same glow behind the mountains in the distance.   

She has been in the hospital for a week, most of it in intensive care, with some serious medical issues that have yet to be resolved.  It has been difficult for her .....and for me as well. 

She has been poked and prodded, tried and tested and seems to be coming out on the other side of it now.  The crisis has passed.

I, too, have experienced  tests of my faith and trust in Jesus,  and in the sovereignty of Almighty God through this ordeal of hers. For me, this has been another refining moment.... more of the dross has been skimmed off transforming me, molding me, making me more in His image.  

I believe He wants what is best for me. I believe that all things work together for good. ...I know He hears my prayers,  and I know I am loved.  Through it all, I am able to say “I trust you, Lord.....no matter what!”  

Seeing that glow that has been a part of me for over forty years, was reassurance and conformation that God’s Glory does shine for me and lights my path. I hope it also shines through me to bless or encourage the people I meet.  

I Trust you, Lord.

I prayed all the way into the hospital as I followed the ambulance that was bringing my daughter to the Emergency Department. A sudden altered level of consciousness and a nearly nonexistent blood pressure prompted a call to 911 soon after dinner. She was pale, blue around her lips, and out of it. I thought she was starting to have a seizure. They were bringing her for evaluation and I was right behind them. My prayers were childish, but sincere.....”Please God, Fix her, heal her, make this okay. I was praying frantically, and I began to pray the only prayer that is always answered......”thy will be done”. This led me to think about God’s sovereignty. My God is sovereign I know this and trust this, and never doubt Him. But, here I was driving into the unknown praying for healing, trusting God and realizing how hard that really is. I was tearful and cried out to Him.....” I trust you , Lord. I know you are sovereign. But in my frail humanness, your sovereignty is really hard.”  
I think I had a small glimpse of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, also asking for “Your will, not mine...” it was hard for him also.

Spring

Daylight is dawning at five AM these days. It’s still chilly, some mornings are even frosty, but it’s definitely Spring. The grass is as green as it will get, trees are budding, horses and dogs shedding, and the swallows and hummingbirds are back. I love watching the birds flying around, they seem to just be having fun.
The Winter blahs are gone, and everyone seems to be happier, ready to get outside and walk, garden, mow, sweep, or any number of chores that mean being out of doors.  The work really starts now, but no one minds.....we are grateful to have been released from the dark winter prison.
The barbecues are ready, lawn chairs and tables have appeared on patios and in yards, neighbors wave and chat over backyard fences.  Soon there will be camping, garage sales, farmers markets, outdoor music venues, parades, and fishing derbies.  We pack an awful lot into a few months of the long days of summer, and Spring is the time to get everything ready for a running start. A few frosty mornings can’t dampen the anticipation of things to come or diminish the energy level that being outside brings.
I’m burning daylight, have got to get out there and get things done.

My gift of Service.....