Gander Story Poems: April 2007

April 29, 2007

IF 4-29-07

.
IF, for someone that I love, I do for them some good,
How should I feel afterward - if I’m misunderstood?

IF, for someone that's a friend, I lend a helping hand,
How would I feel afterward - if more they would command?

IF, for someone that I know, I encourage and advise,
How would I feel afterward - if they screamed selfish cries?

IF, for strangers I should meet, and their anger wished my head,
How would I feel afterward - would I love them all instead?

IF, for enemies that I see, as I save their life, am maimed,
How would I feel afterward - if for their bruises, I were blamed?

How do I feel toward God Almighty - who gave His only Son?
Do I really thank Him for His gift - or do I wallow in my fun?

Do I misunderstand, command of Him, or blame when things go wrong?
Or love another as He so loved - as His witness all life long?

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

-------

April 25, 2007

God Loves Me 4-25-07

When I was just a little child, so many years ago,
joy and gladness filled my face wherever I would go.
I never had to worry. I had no earthly cares.
I'd play all day and then that night, I'd say my evening prayers.

But then, as I grew older, some pain had filled my face,
I'd scrape my knees and elbows - once broke mom's pretty vase.
Then passing through my teenage years and though I learned so much,
opinions got the best of me and stole the Masters touch.

Years had passed - and decades too - in my tenacious life.
Oh, I had pounded my own drum and blew my little fife.
Like a tree with trunk and limbs - I knew each branch, their twigs.
I grew in all directions - in twisted zags and zigs.

As God exposed His beauty - in me, in every leaf,
I soaked up all that certainty, with faith in my belief.
One by one leaves opened, full proof for all to see -
but I forgot about my roots and what God's plan might be.

One day while sitting on my throne - in educated bliss....
I wondered (Bible in my hands) what secret did I miss?
I panted in my studies. I prayed in earnest pleas....
It hit me like a ton of bricks - and crushed me to my knees.

My mighty tree had crashed in vain. It timbered from the sky....
Yes, only God knows everything – every truth and lie.
God found that long lost child once more as tears poured down my cheeks,
and I found His great joy again. I listen when He speaks.

I follow in His footsteps. I let his Spirit heal -
and once again, as long before, the Master's touch I feel.
In faith I lay me down to sleep - my deathbed He can see,
and nothing really matters now, except that God loves me.

©2007 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org

-------