3/11/2008
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Cowboy
<br><br>He calls me preacher man....I call him cowboy.....and you can believe this....he is a whole lot closer to being a cowboy than I will ever be a preacher.   Woody Woodruff is one of the most interesting fellas you will ever run into.  You see him coming and you will understand why I call him cowboy.  I could only imagine that Louis Lamour had a man like Woody in mind each time he put his pencil to paper.  In 2005, Woody was named the Academy of Western Artists’ Best Male Poet of the Year.  In the circle of western poetry, it’s the equivalent of being named MVP for the season, or in other words, it’s a pretty big deal. Woody has been on television a few times and on the radio a blue million times.  He has compiled his collection of poems in a book, The Incomplete Works of Woody Woodruff; World-Wide Unknown Poet, and his collaboration of words have been read and heard in a number of countries all around the world.  Woody and his better half, Ms. Carla, along with their three girls, Amy, Ashley and Amanda, made their way to Centerville, TN. over 20 years ago via Fulton Co., Kentucky and Nacogdoches, Texas.  Now three son-in-laws and several grandbabies later, the Woodruffs are not only a fixture in this community, but also at the Fairfield Church of Christ....and we could not be prouder.<br><br>A Sunday night or two ago, Cowboy agreed to share with the congregation some of his God-given talent by reciting some of his work.  It was a wonderful experience listening to a true professional do what he does best.  I thought it might be a blessing to share with you today my favorite Woody Woodruff poem of all time.  <br>             <br>                                         <center> “Lord, Thank You For Your Time”</center><br>“We were sittin' 'round Ole Cookie's fire When Bill asked if he might pray Pard, if I live to be a thousand I'll not forget that day....Bill said, Lord, here we sit all gathered A carrying on and such Seems seldom do we stop and thank you For givin' us all so much....Now, we're just a bunch of old cowboys We know we oughta pray Truthfully, Lord, we have no excuse For not sending words you're way....Sometimes, I reckon we must be stunned By the beauty you've placed a 'round Lord, please let me thank You proper As I kneel here on this ground....Lord, thank You for these here Rockies Their peaks covered white with snow For the pure clear waters that filter down Towards the plains You have them flow....Thank You, Lord, for the tall grasses That grow up stirrup high And for those soft white clouds That's so gentle on the eye....The rains You send in summer That cool us from the heat Lord, we even thank You for Ole Cookie For the grub on which we eat....We, thank You, for our horses Yes, each and every one May they live in Heaven's meadows When their days here are done....These stars that shine so brightly Just part of Your master plan And Lord, for allowing us to be what we are Just simple ole cowhands....We, thank You, Lord, for all You do And for sure for all You've done And ask only that we might ride with You When our life on earth is done....'til that day You call us home We ask You guide us on our way Allow us to keep a good horse between our knees Live life... the Cowboy way....Don't let us be unkind to others Be it beast or be it man And help us to watch the words we speak As we ride here for Your brand....Lord, I didn't mean to get so windy But while I had You on my mind I felt these words I had to say Lord, Thank You for your time!”<br><br>Woody would be the first to tell you that he hasn’t always been God’s number one cowpoke....but a few years ago that all changed, and now I guarantee you God is saying, “No, Woody, thank you for YOUR time.”<br>                      <br>Go the extra mile - Devin<br>