Dear Friends 5-12-12

Dear Friends,

When Jesus stepped into my dream

last night while I was sleeping,

I saw the radiance in His face -

however, He was weeping.

I wondered what had happened,

I wondered what occurred,

but when I asked Him why He was,

He never said a word.

I asked if He was hurting.

With that, He nodded 'yes'.

I asked Him many questions, but

He wanted me to guess.

So after many guesses,

with answers short and long -

I searched more answers far and near,

but all of them were wrong.

Now this, I had to figure out,

and learn it on my own.

I finally found the reason -

and it, I should have known.

It hit me like a ton of bricks -

my sins, the reason why.

The tears He cried had made me sick.

Another left His eye.

So then, I started crying -

but He reached out His hands.

His fingers touched my now wet cheeks,

He smiled so widely and -

He placed His thumbs along my nose,

and then said, "Do not fear."

And with His thumbs beneath my eyes,

He wiped away each tear.

Now that, dear friends, is endless love,

forgiveness, comfort, grace -

and there's no work that He requires.

I won't forget His face.

We must have faith in God alone.

There's no 'work' we can do.

But why must Jesus hurt so much?

...Well, that's so we don't have to.

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Tears No Longer 3-20-12

Behind the doors of many homes,

no matter where you go -

a multitude of people weep.

Their tears forever flow...

I sat behind my mommy in

the back seat of our car.

My daddy did the driving, but

we didn't get too far.

My mom and I were talking,

and we were smiling wide,

but someone ran the traffic light

and hit us hard broad-side.

The truck came out of nowhere -

the driver, DUI.

And buckled in her seat belt, mom

had watched my daddy die.

I woke up in a hospital -

in pain for several days.

Our fragile world turned up-side-down

in many, many ways...

"Jesus, heal my broken heart.

I feel emotion's tug,

whenever mommy holds me tight

and gives me daddy's hug.

Embraced below Your sunsets

through visions of the wreck -

I know my mom is crying too.

Her tears run down my neck.

"She says we'll be in Heaven there.

It is her only prayer.

Daddy, mother, also I -

are in Your precious care.

Though she forgives the driver -

forget? She never will.

And though the years are passing by,

our tears are flowing still.

"But please forgive me Jesus -

I can't get on my knees.

Fun and laughter, drugs and beer

is all the world sees.

Is several years of crying worth

some stranger's day of fun?

'They know not what they do' You said.

Our tears forever run.

"You hear all my petitions

My deepest thoughts I share.

Your great omniscient presence

surrounds my wheel chair.

And I am not discouraged.

Through faith in You, I know -

in Heaven, we'll be together -

where tears no longer flow."

©2012 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Tender Tears 8-8-11

Be positive and confident,

and joyous all the while -

and you can be a great success

while wearing your great smile.

Success will bring you riches,

such fun, excitement too -

so do not let this world slip by -

revolve it around you.

Oh, there will be some hurting -

a child without his dad -

and though he may shed many tears

don't let him make you sad.

Just keep on smiling broadly,

and remember, others can -

show their deep compassion.

Don't interrupt your plan.

There's way too many people -

and all, you cannot do -

and after all - it's when you smile,

the world will smile with you.

Spread laughter, joy into this world -

put smiles on all the poor -

and if you still feel guilty,

donate a little more.

Ignore the child crying,

ignore her ragged clothes,

ignore the troubles, not your own

for it is how life goes.

Crack a joke on your success,

and brag on all you gave.

Jest and smile and live it up!

Die laughing to the grave...

And then, when you see Jesus,
and your world disappears -
will you get Him to laugh with you
behind His tender tears? 

©2011 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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My Mom 5-3-09

My Mom,
who hugged me after painful birth,
who loved me more than all this earth,
who tucked me in when I was cold,
who, though crying, she would hold,

who stayed up nights, looked over me,
who put me first, instead of 'she',
who didn't sleep - rocked me instead,
who kissed my tiny, warm forehead,

who proved her love time and again,
who never quit through thick and thin,
who, for days, awake would keep,
who held me 'til I'd fall asleep.

who fed me, bathed me, clothed me too,
who taught me, spanked me 'til I grew,
who knew my treasures on my shelf,
who knew me more than me, myself,

who told me, "Don't your brother taunt."
who gave advice I didn't want,
who knew behind my ears was dirt,
who gave instruction 'til it hurt.

Mom won't make our history book,
but if she did, no one would look.
Though she knew scripture inside-out,
there's nothing I could write about.

Was Mom so special? Not to you,
for she had me - then followed through.
Moms fall short of explanation -
but they built this very nation.

Mom, I love you -
(and all Moms everywhere....)

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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In The Clouds 3-25-07

You ask why I am crying. So let me tell you why.
I was so very angry as I stared into the sky.

I lost my special mother and tears had filled my eyes.
I looked to God for answers but moisture blurred the skies.

I had only asked for answers - an emotional free ride.
I wanted Him to hold me - and keep me near His side.

I didn’t see the sunshine. Dark clouds hung over me.
I couldn’t feel His presence. I couldn’t begin to see….

But when I wiped away my tears, my thoughts were held in awe -
It held me captive for some time - for this is what I saw:

So clear and simple in the clouds - I now know why she died....
The sight of Jesus on the cross – in love, His arms held wide.

You ask why I am crying. I’m crying ‘cuz I’m glad –
I knew that she was everything - and thought was all I had.

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

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