A PRE-BIRTH CHALLENGE
Imagine you appeared with Christ,
Just outside heaven’s gate.
He said He had a mission for you;
You were thrilled; you could hardly wait.
He said to earth you would go,
Of a man and woman to be born.
When He showed you a list of His challenges,
You dropped to your knees to mourn.
For on that list He handed you,
Were trials and temptations,
Grievous things, like sickness and death,
Abuse, and persecutions.
“I’ll give you several talents,” He said;
“Don’t let Satan steal them away.
If they are used to edify me,
You will one day come here to stay.”
“I have prepared the way for you;
Your guide will be my Word.
Gird yourself with my armor;
Your prayers will always be heard.”
He lifted me up and held me close,
“You will always be in my care.”
He continued to comfort with His words:
“Your burdens I will help you to bear.”
“I will see you again one day;
In the meantime I offer my grace.
Just ask for my mercy and pardon,
Til we meet again face to face.”
“And if you sin along the way,
Or if you feel you have failed,
Pray to me for forgiveness,
That’s why on the cross I was nailed.”
“You won't remember my Words this day,
But this list I’ll again make known.
At the end of your life we’ll review it,
When you stand at my judgment throne.”
Becky Wall
I'm sitting in an airport lounge right now enjoying the buffet before my flight, so I re-wrote this for my current situation.
ReplyDeleteA BUFFET PILGRIMAGE
Imagine you appeared at the buffet,
Just outside the sneeze guard gate.
You saw the trays of steaming food;
You were thrilled; you could hardly wait.
You said to yourself, “This is it!
Of every dish, I’ll surely partake.”
But after your seventh soda refill,
Your bladder began to ache.
For on your plate you piled too much,
Fried chicken, shrimp, lo mein,
Grievous things like ice cream cake,
And soft-serve in a cone again.
“You’ll give yourself several trips,” you said;
“Don’t let shame steal them away.
If they are used to edify me,
I will conquer this buffet today!”
But then the pressure deep inside
Grew stronger than your will.
You gripped your tray and whispered low,
“Dear Lord, help me stay still!”
A server came and held you close,
“You need the restroom? It’s right this way.”
She guided you like a guardian angel,
Through chairs and crowds, no delay.
She pointed to the shining door,
“Relief is now your own.
Just ask for soap and paper towels,
And wash till your hands are known.”
And if you sin along the way,
By cutting straight in line,
Pray for mercy, fellow guests,
For dessert shall still be thine.
And when you leave that holy stall,
Your soul will feel renewed.
You’ll face the trials of endless food,
And claim your rightful pudding too.