Wonder in the resilience of our forefathers

My old Daddy would sort of explain how to do a job and then leave you to it, admonishing us to “Get ‘er done!” 

Well, when the time come that I could stop long enough to shake my head in wonder at the resilient ingenuity of our forefathers to do tasks that today seem to require advanced technology and modern tools. 

Yet, in the land of yesteryear, these seemingly impossible jobs were accomplished with only primitive tools and knowledge passed down throughout the ages by word of mouth and example. The world is filled with individuals that faced an impossible task yet had a vision that gave them the grit to get ‘er done. 

Our forefathers sought freedom from oppression because they believed that God intended for mankind to have freedom of worship and freedom to govern themselves. So, they got ‘er done! Entrepreneurs throughout our history had grandiose dreams that faced insurmountable odds, steamships, trains, railroads, spans of bridges or tunnels, skyscrapers, and that was just in the late 18th or early 19th centuries. 

Think of all the modern inventions as well as those to come. They were told that it couldn’t be done, yet they were able to “Get ‘er done!” 

My friend and fellow cowboy poet from Eagar, Arizona, Chris Isaacs, has a good illustration on how those old timers, even in the face of impossible odds, stayed with a job proving that they would “Get ‘er done!” 

Chris had a photo of an old pine log cabin line camp on Coyote Creek near Springerville, Arizona. He said this area is all cedar and scrub, not a pine tree within twenty miles with which to build a cabin. So, how did they get ‘er done? Somewhere, far from the location of this cabin, they cut the logs and erected a cabin, carving a number and a letter in each log so it could be dismantled and erected at its new location far from where the logs originated. This cabin was built well over one hundred years ago, which means there were no diesel trucks available for the hauling. 

The roof and flooring is gone, but the log walls still stand as a testimony to the toughness of these old timers that had the ingenuity to figure out how to “Get ‘er done!” 

Personally, when I have had a challenge of any proportion, I seek help from a higher power, and I expect there have been many others that have employed prayer as a means to reach success. I pray for God’s guidance, that He will open the pathway to allow me to “Get ‘Er Done!”

Get ‘er Done

Oldtimers would often say, “Get ‘er done!”

You wonder how to make it work,

Tho you shore do mean well,

Some hardships often dwell,

An’ Pilgrim, you might want to cut an’ run,

But this task you must not shirk.

When life throws you a kink, as it often will,

An’ you have a mind just to quit,

Tho you may be weary,

An’ the future looks dreary,

Reach down deep for your inner strength to fulfill,

You will find that you’ve got the grit!

But the trail will be rough, an’ tax you a bit,

You have to be stout hearted,

So, breathe mighty deep,

‘Cuz you’ll earn yore keep,

Be cowboy strong, as you carry on an’ don’t quit,

You see, you’ve just now started.

It’s there in all of us, this ingrained ability

 To help us stretch for success,

It is just there waiting,

This source emanating,

Opening the door to our capability,

For which we must constantly press!

Seek a higher power, put your trust in the Lord,

 You’ll find that will help you get through,

Life’s trails can be steep,

Yet, faith you can keep,

You will find that your travels are not so hard,

God’s direction will always be true!

Be tough, stay on the trail, vict’ry will be sweet,

They said it could not be done,

No one gave you a chance,

But you took your stance,

Friend, stand tall an’ proud, life’s kink you have beat,

Accept the prize you have won!

Pilgrim, life is filled with kinks an’ twists galore,

Be tough, don’t turn an’ run,

As we travel this sod,

We are blessed by our God,

An’ He stays right with us for ever more,

He helps us Get ‘er Done!

2 Corinthians 8:11but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

Pray for rain! Join us at First Baptist Marlin at 11 a.m. Sunday morning.

God bless each of you and God Bless America!