Washed Away 10-14-12

Do our hearts ache when swift waves break
and wash up sandy beach
or do the waves sing, "Jesus saves!"
when up on beaches reach?
Does 'make life fair' entwine our prayers
though time cannot reverse?
His divine force would change our course
for better - not for worse.

Though freewill stalk will alter walk.
We traverse where we will.
Through other lands or beach head sands,
we'll travel on until -
our final stride meets where we died
and breath no longer flows -
and final prints expose all hints.
...for that is how life goes.

As I looked back, my lifelong track -
I was so much dismayed.
I persevered - but disappeared
those tracks in life I made.
My earthly talk was not all walk.
Again I look around.
With seashore grim, so stunned I am.
My prints cannot be found.

All lost one day and washed away -
a life that lived in haste -
and purpose quashed when prints were washed,
away - ohhh, what a waste!
I don't succumb, but ponder some -
now when I bow to pray.
And so it was, His waves, because
He washed those sins away!

Divine, His grace, hung in my place
when Jesus died instead.
With sins forgiv'n and bound for Heav'n
my earthly work is dead.
Let heart not ache, when waves should break
to smooth out wicked beach -
but follow yon His footsteps on,
'til destination reach...

©2012 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

The Sand Castle 3-24-10

The boy continued working
as people ran on by -
kicking up the sun-dried sand
which stung his little eye.

The beach was full of castles,
sand castles great and tall.
The artists had great patience as
the crowd was held in awe.

Some were very stately
and some were built quite lean -
but artists built their castles
where they could be well seen.

Castles grand and beautiful –
some poised to win a place –
detailed touches serious
from top down to the base.

While all the crowd was standing 'round
still watching and amazed -
the judge looked ever critical
with eyebrow sometimes raised.

But then a storm came blowing by
collapsing every wall.
The crowd was stunned – wave after wave
had toppled one and all.

Yet, spared there – one sand castle
which stood above the rest.
It was not much to look at but –
withstood the final test.

Away from wicked, stormy seas
it stood back from the shore.
Though storm had sent its wicked waves
it could have handled more.

Every great sand castle
was crushed and so outdone -
all tested hard with crashing waves
that could not reach this one.

Its walls were not the straightest -
but safely from the sea -
was built alone so humbly
and stood there faithfully.

That young boy sat beside it
not really that obsessed –
when someone started yelling, "Hey!
This one beats the rest!”

The crowd all pushed and gathered ‘round -
then saw that castle standing.
They stood there so astonished but
said not anything.

The judge pushed a bit closer -
then saw that little boy -
who humbly built his castle
where waves could not destroy.

He roared loud his announcement,
“This is the perfect size!”
and then he leaned right over and
awarded him First Prize.

Still, the boy kept working
as people ran on by -
kicking up the sun-dried sand
which stung his little eye.

©2010 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

-------

James 1:12 (NASB)

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved,

he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Follow Me 1-29-07

I stood out on a sandy beach - waves crashing on the shore,
I wondered why I was alone. The waves hit with a roar,
I knew the fish kept close in schools, way out there in the sea -
and then I heard a still small voice, "Have faith, and you will see..."

I wandered by our big, old oak. Its branches, breezes sway.
I wondered why I was alone. I heard birds chirp away.
I knew that birds stayed closely by, protected in that tree -
and then I heard a still small voice, "Have faith, and you will see..."

I sat there by my window – heard noises that were made..
I wondered why I was alone as all the children played.
I knew that children in their way, stayed close and played so free -
and then I heard a still small voice, "Have faith, and you will see..."

My teary eyes were buried in my favorite chair, so soft.
I wondered why I was alone as prayers floated aloft.
I prayed. My trembling hands clasp tight - was blind, it couldn't be -
and then I heard a still small voice, "Have faith, and you will see..."

I waited for an answer but my patience had run out.
I wondered why I was alone. Proof verified all doubt.
Jesus, just before the cross, was denied His final plea -
again, I heard that still small voice, "Have faith, and you will see..."

I'm gone, but not so much alone. I'm here with Heaven's King.
Our Savior sits beside Him! Can you hear the angels sing?
My hands I hold up, way up high! Heaven's riches I now see!
So listen to His still small voice, "Have faith, come follow me."

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

------- 

Psalm 23:4 (KJ) “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Rev. 2:10 (KJ) “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."