This day began with stillness

My young bride Stella and I often start our day with morning coffee sitting on the back porch, each of us contemplating the challenges ahead. Our morning prayer time is generated by this peaceful meditation. 

As the day opens around us, we are blessed with the feel of the air, the sounds of the birds singing and the breeze rustling through the trees. There is a soft fragrance of a variety of buds, blooms, and new growth brought on by the season. Then the sight of a pair of whistling ducks flying over the treetops and of course, the cats on the hunt for a lurking lizard. 

All of this as the new day becomes the next phase of our life. We take in all of this while the world goes on around us with distant sounds that are blotted out by nature’s own chorus, and we realize that all of this joy should give each of us a thankful heart. And we immediately bring to mind the bible verse that fits this scenario; Psalm 118:24 - This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 

And that thought leads us to another, we are blessed with the riches of life! Stella’s Dad, Grampy, would tell his Grandkids, “You are worth a million dollars in Grampy’s gold!”  That statement fits all of us as we enjoy the rich blessings from God.   

Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  My understanding of that verse is, “Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never be ours so Lord help us to take one day at a time. Help us to enjoy today and trust you for tomorrow.”    

Cowboy Rich

The new day begins with stillness, as others often do,

When the time comes and you kick off your tarp,

You grab your hat and shake out your boots too,

In the birthing of dawn when the darkness is sharp. 

Then faint light in the east with grandeur to aspire,

tho slow but sure, peeps ‘round the scattered clouds,

As you make your way to stoke the morning fire,

That awaits its chance to push away nights shroud.

With coffee on the boil, you hear the coyotes yippin’,

In tune with the faint refrain of the night’s farewell song,

An’ you feel at peace with the cup you are sippin’,

Ahhh, an’ in your mind you feel as if you belong.

Then sunlight rushes to chase the shadows from their lair,

While the day smiles with warmth of sunlight’s glow,

Then the cowboy sweeps off his hat to voice a prayer

And thank his Lord for the blessings only He could bestow.

And he gave his thanks to his God up above,

As he prayed that God would forgive him for his sins,

Just thanking Him for His Grace and unconditional love,

Knowing that this was the plan as life begins.

This fine day starts out about like the others,

An’ he thinks about some smooth trails that he has rode,

Tho sometimes life gets in the way an’ often smothers,

But the Lord will never give you too big of a load.

An’ he’s thoughtful as he looks back on his days,

Tho some trails are smooth, others have their snares,

There was a time when he floundered like many strays,

Found it was shore ‘nuff hard to get somewheres.

Because life can be hard an’ roust you all about,

Seems he wandered aimlessly across these lands,

But life can also guide your trails, of that there is no doubt

An’ he learned to place his cares in God’s hands.

His pony neighs, shaking him from his reverie,

Makin’ him realize that there is work to be done,

An’ he’s thankful for this grand life that keeps him free,

Though times can be tough as he faces wind an’ sun.

An’ most of the days are tolerable, yet long an’ hard,

But he figgers it is just the price he must pay,

It’s his lot and the hardships he will disregard,

As he takes a breath an’ heads out without delay.

He gazes toward the distant hills, new day has begun,

And once again thanks his Lord as blessings unfold,

Living free in this land, proud to be an American,

Rich beyond belief, no need for rubies nor gold!

  ©  Ol’ Jim Cathey     

 Cowboys often did not have opportunity to go to church, but they were constantly surrounded by God’s bounty and creation,, and in one way or another, they said “Thank You!”

Join us at First Baptist Marlin. 

 God bless each of you and God Bless America!