My New Friend 4-25-13

I passed the lady at her desk (the pastor's file clerk).

He peered above his glasses busy with some paperwork.

(Intimidated, speechless- I did not know what to say).

I feebly asked him for his help.  I mentioned my new friend.

"I'm busy with my sermon now.  What service can he lend?"

(Intimidated, speechless- I did not know what to say).

"Does he tithe?" then asked the Pastor from behind his tidy desk -

sitting on his leather chair and looking somewhat statuesque.

(Intimidated, speechless- I did not know what to say).

"Does he tithe?" he asked again with both arms tight across his chest -

folded firm and rigid on his perfect three-piece suited vest.

(Intimidated, speechless- I did not know what to say).

"Does he tithe?" he asked again with bold expression on his face -

leaning forward in his chair next to some flowers in a vase.

(Intimidated, speechless- I did not know what to say).

"Does he tithe?" he asked one last time as he stood up straight and tall.

"It's a fact he's not a Christian if he doesn't.  That is all."

(I just stood there speechless and did not know what to say).

---

...but then I asked - if it would be okay - to show my new friend in.

The Pastor said, "Why don't you?" (and he said it with a grin).

So then I walked back to the door and briefly exited -

and then returned with my new friend.  I paused and humbly said,

I'm sorry that I couldn't find the words that would explain -

that my new friend here isn't well and in a bit of pain.

It seems he has no money and it's hard to get around.

It seems his ears have trouble hearing low and quiet sounds.

It seems that he is needing just a bit of your advice -

because he lost his legs on an explosive land device.

It seems he needs this wheelchair and help with other things.

It seems he has no purpose now.  His soul no longer sings...

He has no car, he has no home nor place to lie his head.

It's been a long time coming so his need is to be fed.

And so it was, the Pastor dropped back down in his soft chair.

He seemed to be in shock awhile with my friend sitting there.

Before he spoke, the seconds seemed to drag on endlessly -

but finally he had found his words and spoke them reverently.

"The reason that we all must tithe and never miss a week -

is so that we can help the poor, the hurting and the weak.

The tithes and offerings we receive?  Folks haven't any clue-

but funds should flow in freely for a person such as you.

---

And then behind his glasses- I had thought I saw it clear -

yes, on his tidy desk had dropped a long-awaited tear.

(I just stood there speechless and did not know what to say).

©2013 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

Sometimes our intentions are tidy, but our priorities are a mess. ~louis gander

-------

Luke 20: 45-47 (NASB)

45 And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples,

46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes,

and love respectful greetings in the market places,

and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,

47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers.

These will receive greater condemnation.”

Luke 21: 1-4

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.

3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them;

4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering;

but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”