A Deaf Man 2-10-09

When I was just a little boy,
playing with my favorite toy,
so bored with all the waiting rooms,
grownups in their white costumes,

my parents sitting in their chairs,
me on the floor, I had no cares.
I heard some grunts and turned around,
and saw a deaf man making sound.

Our eyes had met. I was bemused.
He seemed quite different - me confused.
Why I stared, my thinking slow -
his funny hat? I do not know.

As he walked closer (me afraid),
I then ignored him as I played.
And so afraid of the unknown,
I held my space to be alone.

Then as I felt a sudden tap -
fear dropped that toy right in my lap.
I was stunned from head to toes,
and every muscle in me froze.

Something happened after that,
as he knelt down and there we sat.
We played and talked a little while -
he seemed so very versatile.

If I was deaf, I would be sad,
but he seemed happy, not so bad.
He had no fear. He shed no tear.
In fact, he grinned from ear to ear.

To talk to him (if I would choose)
he showed me language I could use.
Sign language later, I was told.
It was special, it was gold.

Also special - somewhat odd,
is the language heard from God.
After all, who'd know the cost -
without two wooden timbers crossed?

Love and grace are not mere words.
Our faith was not meant "for the birds".
It took a man who couldn't hear
to help me see this very clear.

Him I miss - his funny hat.
I never saw him after that.
Precious memories from the Lord,
remembering well, that cancer ward.

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Sounds from nature, sounds from man,
sounds from God - He knows we can.
Sounds of thunder, sounds of loss,
sounds from Jesus on the cross....

If we can hear without our ears,
God will conquer all our fears.
Listen close, it is a plus.
God hates sin - but hates, not us.

If we have heard and understood,
we know the cross was more than wood.
When all is said and all is done,
we too, can hear God's only Son.

Just listen....

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

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If I Were God.... 1-19-2009

Bad things happen every day,

on waves and solid sod -

This world is in such disarray -

but not if I were God.

People fall off mountains -

People fall in ditches -

People fall for anything -

but not if I were God.

People will get greedy -

People will get sad -

People will get lonely -

but not if I were God.

People get diseases -

People get depressed.

People get so bothered -

but not if I were God.

People hurt so often -

People hurt so much -

People hurt each other -

but not if I were God.

No, if I were God,

there'd be no mountains.

there'd be no valleys,

lakes or drinking fountains.

No one would fall off of,

fall into, or drown.

No, if I were God,

you'd never, ever frown.

If I were God,

there'd be 'garden of Eden',

all would be happy,

with nobody leavin'.

If I were God,

you could do what you please,

there wouldn't be plagues,

locusts or fleas.

Yes, if I were God,

you'd sing la-la-la,

because I'd create

utopia.

Don't worry that you'd never be challenged.

Don't worry that you'd get a bit bored.

Don't worry that you'd be a robot -

with brains as dense as a board.

So did God have other intentions?

Does 'free will' mean much at all?

Did Jesus give us a challenge?

And are we to answer His call?

©2009 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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Matthew 9:37 (KJV)

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;