I DRIFTED ON LIFE’S RESTLESS SEA

This poem may not appeal to everyone. It does tell you a little of the ups and down in my own life, the religious upbringing I had, the life I lived as a youth, living mostly on my own, the return to faith in my more mature years.  If you enjoy it I am happy,  if it does some good it will make me even happier.

I DRIFTED ON LIFE’S RESTLESS SEA

I drifted on life restless sea.
Wild storms did toss me all around.
So dark it was, I could not see.
How I wished I were homeward bound.

My wayward ship pitched stem to stern.
Swells surged and heaved it side to side.
What costly lessons one must  learn.
It seemed my past I could not hide.

Like Jonah who to Tarshish fled,
I fled the God, I knew at home.
Refused all wisdom, that was said.
Would sail my ship, just on my own.

With youthful joy, I did set sail.
Enjoyed the balmy breeze and sun.
My faith I covered with a veil.
Could only think of friends and fun.

The balmy breeze soon came to end.
So did the fun and friendships too.
Mistakes, some grave, so oft I made.
Then angst, confusion,  in me grew.

I thought of times, when still a child
I sat with awe on mother’s knee.
She sang of Jesus, meek and mild,
Of  God who loved a child like  me.

I took that song. Made it my own.
What peace and joy it brought my heart.
The good my mother had so shown
From it, I thought, I’d never part.

What folly the alluring world
Imposed upon my artless mind.
Dazzling pleasures around me swirled
And made me so naively blind.

Forgetting  the good,  I had known
I thought to sail my ship alone.
My heavenly Pilot would have shown
The treacherous shoals, to me unknown.

No longer will I sail my ship alone.
An unfailing Guide, I deeply need.
My God will bring me safely home.
Humbly, to Him my will I cede.

VP         Aug. 9, 2008

CHURCHGOING HYPOCRITE

One hears it so often. The Church is full of hypocrites! That’s such a facile statement. There is nothing easier than to throw stones. Not only that. I wouldn’t want to give out a quarter for every hypocrite outside the Church. There are more than a few out there as well. I would be broke for sure.

We all can do with a little criticism. No one is perfect. But to avoid Church purely because of the hypocrites there is to misunderstand the purpose of the Church. Through the services of the Church people strive to become a better people and have a more meaningful relationship with God.

Here is my view on it.

CHURCH-GOING HYPOCRITE

Went to church this Sunday morning
As I am accustomed to do,
Not because of ought or warning
Just so good to me might accrue.

Some say, church is for hypocrites.
It’s a statement that makes me wince.
That some are so, is quite legit.
I well know. You need not convince.

I too am one, that falls far short
Of the standards the Lord has set.
Cling to my sins, fail to abort,
The habits that are so inbred.

Do not think, I am worse than you.
We’re all cut from the same old cloth.
No one’s as good, as he thinks he is.
Evil lurked among the good we sought.

Who then is the greater hypocrite?
The one who seeks to make amends?
Or he who casts the stone and will not quit,
And uses others’s weakness as defence?

The Church is not for perfect saints.
Such entered heaven with God’s speed.
It’s there for those beset with taints.
It’s a hospice for poor souls in need.

So aware of my sinful state,
I do attend the House of God,
With hope that He will clean my slate,
Assisted by the preacher’s prod.

Will you join me then, next Sunday morn?
Let’s both seek the good that is taught.
In time a new man will be born,
Which helps us live, as we truly ought.

VP           Oct. 2, 2007   All rights reserved