Many times what we say is what we live
I’ve heard it said, “No matter what is in your cup when someone bumps into you, some of it will probably spill out. And likewise, as you live your life, something is likely to come along and give you a good bump! When that happens, what will spill out from you?”
Another words, what is in your cup? Because, what you have allowed to fill you, is exactly what will spill out. When your life is filled with bitterness and anger, harsh words and violent reactions will spill out. But if you live a life steeped in love and joy and peace, then you can expect grace and humility to spill out. So give some thought to what you will spill out when life gets tough (and it will eventually.)
We exist with what comes to us through living. But, we make a Life by what we give, and many times what we say is what we give.
My Granddad, Papa Hop, left a lot of memories through what he said and this one comes to mind, “Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and please nudge me when I’ve said enough.”
You cannot unsay a cruel word. At my weight and age, I have been exposed to a lot of old sayings and advice from old timers and I got to thinking about how they have affected the way I live.
For instance, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment!”
I think you would agree that you do seem to get smarter the second time you face a situation, but true wisdom only occurs when you figure out how to avoid getting in that situation. And, “When you find yourself in a hole, the smart thing is to stop digging.”
However, I often get that hole pretty deep before it occurs to me why it is getting deeper. Now this one is 100 percent good advice, no matter what stage you find yourself in, Live simply, Love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest in God’s Hands.
Remember, the best sermons are lived, not preached. I guess everything that I have said points out that no one is perfect. And as Christians, we know that only God is perfect and we are continually striving to improve ourselves to become more like Him. So, that shows that some of us need to receive just a little bit more “cowboy schoolin” as we continue down life’s perilous trail.
The old west cowboys lived by an unwritten code, and it just seemed to come naturally to most of them. Of course apparently you always have some that are too stubborn to abide by this code and try to “reinvent the wheel.”
My Ol’ Daddy would call them “pig headed” or “dumb as a stump.” And this segment of our population will bring sorrow and trials to the good people that are trying to make their world a better place. But as it has been said many times, “Life just ain’t fair.”
So, as I bring this piece to an end, I would like to leave you with these words, “Pray For Each Other And Pray For Our Country.”
Cowboy Schoolin’
An old hand pondered at this new job thrust on him,
The Boss said it was his to do,
Went on to say, “This button’s training has been slim,
And I am depending on you.
Bein’ responsible warn’t his favorite thing,
But he had known the kid’s Dad,
So he guessed he’d take him under his wing,
An’ try to help this young lad.
Well, they saddled up an’ rode out toward the plain,
Where they could visit an’ talk.
‘Bout life an’ such that goes to build a man’s domain,
Which way to go an’ when to balk.
Son, there’s things I’ve found, as I travel this sod,
That makes for a smother trail,
First thing of a morning have a chat with God,
Just let His wisdom prevail.
He told ‘em “It takes a heap to be a man.”
An’ sometimes life just ain’t fair,
Listen to what a feller says when you can,
Just let ‘em know that you care.
You’ll find some folk with the temperament of a mule,
Treat you to a tough ordeal,
That’s when you must remember the “Golden Rule,”
Treat them like you’d like to feel.
Son, meanness don’t just happen overnight,
He went right on to recall,
So be as rough as pleases you in God’s sight
But just don’t be mean nor small.
Stand firm on what you believe, be honest an’ true,
To all women, show respect,
Whether easy or tough, see a job through
Common sense you can’t neglect
When you shake a man’s hand, look ‘em in the eye,
He’ll see that you are sincere,
And he’ll know that you have no quit and lots of try,
So make that point very clear!
An’ Son, your good name is the most important of all,
An’ tho your trails may be tough,
If you give your word, mean it! An’ stand tall,
An’ that, my friend, will be enough!
Do what you say you’ll do, an’ don’t back down,
No matter what trails you trod,
Throughout this great land you will be renown,
Doin’ right in the eyes of God!
Be the MAN that all buttons will look up to,
Admirin’ the trails that you rode,
An’ maybe pattern their lives after you
Just followin’ the Cowboy Code!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
God bless childhood idols, mentors, and our teachers and God Bless America!