In God’s Hand

Papa Hop grew up a preachers son. See, Papa Hop’s dad, James Allen Weathers, my Great Grandpa, came to Hunt County Texas from Rome, Floyd County, Georgia in 1869 at the age of thirteen. He came with a wagon train and drove a team of oxen at this early age. His Father had died in the Civil War and it fell his lot to be the head of his family. So, after working two years as a drover and cowhand, he returned to Georgia and then brought his Mother, brothers, and sisters back to Hunt County and eventually moved to Floyd County, Texas, an area known as the Great Plains, the Llano Estacado. This is where he began his preaching career, riding across the Llano Estacado and down into the Palo Dura Canyon to ranches and community school houses where he preached God’s Word. Later in 1910, he founded the Meteor Baptist Church in Floyd County, near present day Aiken, Texas. Now seeing as how Papa Hop grew up a preachers kid, he was well versed in the teachings of the Bible which he passed on to children and grandchildren. One of the first lessons he taught us came from Matthew 5:16 which tells us to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

And one of the many life lessons Papa Hop would teach us, he taught us to always put our cares in God’s Hands.

IN GOD’S HAND

The room was dim, an’ the tension was high, His day had started at daybreak, an’ things jest got worse from there.

If it could go wrong, it shore did, an’ he was soon filled with despair.

You see, trials an’ tribulations shore tend to weigh a feller down.

He needs to get off to hisself, jest to get rid of his dang frown!

A feller needs to sort things out, so he sought a place way out yonder.

Johnny Mack had found this meadow whar he could reflect an’ ponder.

A hidden nook among the rocks whar he could work things out.

Face his demons and darkest fears an’ clear his mind from all doubt.

He’d put his pony out to graze an’ put the coffee pot to warm.

With these chores done, he was ready an’ his ol’ thoughts began to swarm.

He stretched out to gaze at the stars, but this day had been a bit hard.

Snugged his hat down an’ with a sigh he drifted, ‘cuz he was shore tired.

The late spring spell brought coolness, an’ he slept in the firelight’s glow.

Surrounded with sounds of the night an’ his saddle for a pillow.

But then, his mind was tormented with memories from a time past, that eerily swept him along as they berated an’ harassed.

Bad memories full of darkness, swirlin’ an’ engulfin’ his soul.

Paralyzing him with a fright as he spiraled out of control.

An’ a chill seemed to surround him as he lay on that prairie sod.

Then a thought seemed to remind him; that he was protected by God!

When this promise came to his mind, bringin’ a light to the shadows.

His restless soul was put at ease; caused his fears to decompose.

This sweet promise he had received just as he thought he’d reached trail’s end. A promise that relieved his fears, helped him find a heavenly friend.

Shore makes our life’s path easier when we come to understand that troubles tend to melt away when we place our cares in God’s Hand.

© Ol’ Jim Cathey

A good lesson to learn and to pass on fellow travelers.

Join us at First Baptist Church Marlin where we believe the Bible to be the true word of God.

God Bless each of you and God Bless America