Life has a way of providing an endless supply of bittersweet experiences. The older you get, the more you realize that people and experiences that once provided comfort and pleasure are no longer part of your life. If you are a nonbeliever, those experiences likely translate into tragedy. The hope of being reunited with loved ones is a source of comfort for Christians and other believers.
Among our bittersweet experiences is a collection of regrets accumulated throughout the years. Time is another factor that influences the likelihood of a regret. If the time is wrong, we may not have the interest or wisdom to prevent that regret by saying or doing the right thing. With my father-in-law, I missed the opportunity to share his love for writing Christian literature. At least now I can find great peace in knowing that today’s regret will be washed away when we reunite in heaven.
Following my father-in-law’s passing, my wife and I inherited an extensive collection of his poetry. Some were in a large briefcase. Others were in a large binder. I kept all of this in a safe place while it was weighing on my mind and heart. Somehow, some way, I had to share this inspired work. I recall stories of him passing out cards, likely with Bible verses, to random people like a bank teller, a barber, and a waitress. He even had one of his poems published in a poetry book. His motivation for writing was clearly to help people and not for any material reasons. I can certainly relate to that. At one time he was considering becoming a minister. Although that never happened, it didn’t keep him from ministering to people. It only seemed fitting that I should continue his ministry by publishing some of his poems in a book dedicated to him while giving God all the glory.
Below are three of his poems found in the book. The first is the one previously published. The second is one I remember from a humorous point of view. I found the last one deeply moving. Don’t allow yourself to be put off by his free style disregarding any perceived rules for writing poetry. After reading some of his poems for a second time, I realized how unimportant rules are in contrast to heartfelt words that glorify God.
Do You Know Him
Poem from Dad’s Gifts: A Legacy of Love
I had a walk in the onward way,
With whom I don’t have to say.
He is closer than a brother,
You find this true one way or another.
He will walk with you; He will talk with you,
This I know ‘tis true.
I have read the old, old story,
How he came in the brightness of glory.
He came upon a midnight clear.
His birthday we celebrate year after year.
He brought with Him the trust of love,
Given Him by His father above.
He gave us the truth.
He showed us the way.
We can all be together,
Just follow him each day.
We must walk with Him.
We must talk with Him.
We must show Him we care.
In turn, His promises will he share.
Talk to Him every morning and every night.
Walk with Him through the day.
Your burdens will be lightened,
No matter how rough the way.
He will never leave you, nor forsake you.
He will take you by the hand,
As we are promised by Him,
With His footprints in the sand.
He is our Lord and Savior,
Send from heaven above,
Given by His father,
Filled with compassion and His father’s love.
December 28, 1985
My Old Hat
Poem from Dad’s Gifts: A Legacy of Love
When I was young and on the farm,
We always had to wear a straw hat.
It was good for the face and eyes;
Many other reasons, such as this and that.
From the house to the fields we did go,
Hoeing and removing weeds row on row.
This kind of work was hard on your back,
But thank God for that old hat.
In the fields we did harvest the grain.
The only thing giving us a break was the rain.
When the sun again did shine, back on track,
Me and always wearing that trusty old hat.
Today we are threshing the field of grain.
Many bushels we hope to gain.
Sun hat, now dusty and dirty, hard on the back,
Protecting our head and hair with that trusty old hat.
Now I am older, am married and have two.
One, that old hat, and my new one dark blue.
My spouse likes neither one of them at that.
She wishes I would allow her to get rid of that trusty old hat.
She puts up with me through it all,
Knowing I am with her at any call.
Some days there is a little frit and frat,
All because of that old hat.
January 13, 2008
If Not – Why Not?
Poem from Dad’s Gifts: A Legacy of Love
When I arise in the morning,
I stop to give thanks and pray.
This is my way to start my day.
How about you, if not, why not?
God is really good to all,
Many blessings He did give,
Life, health, happiness and mercy,
Most of all a book on how to live.
Have you read the Holy Word?
Do you try to obey the rules?
Many questions and answers sought,
If not, why not?
Attend the house of the Lord,
Live in peace, not by sword,
How happy you will be,
Look all about and then say, “Oh Gee!”
The beauty all about us,
Flowers of the field, lilies of the valley.
The water flows down the stream with a gush,
Do you appreciate this, if not, why not?
Give praise, honor and thanks,
For all you have received.
Read the Word, show you do believe.
Believe all is true, if not, why not?
July 10, 2009
While researching the writings of my father-in-law, I came across a bit of sad irony. At one point, he had his collection of poems waiting to be printed. As luck would have it, the building caught fire and many of his poems were destroyed. After that, he vowed to make multiple copies of his poems. I can only wonder if I would have chosen any of the destroyed poems for the book.
Ironically, I showed little interest in my father-in-law’s inspirational poems while he was writing them. My seven books have illuminated his work for me and, significantly, deepened my understanding of the God who inspired him.