With every face I glance at I’d love a face to face Delighting, laughing, glad to share What brightens us, or baits despair One day, by grace… We’ll have a face to face
Everyone I’ve seen One day, please God, I’ll meet To listen as they tell their story Feel with them the grief, the glory Hope to meet… With everyone I’ve seen
Every single person From posh to homeless poor Will face the choice to live as peers To give their voices; lend their ears For endless years… With every single person
I brushed an old man in the park’s dusky light His eyes kind and bright; his hand waiting fast We shook as he asked, “If with you it’s all right “I’ll share what I saw when I passed!”
“Last Friday, my heart quit, but soon my dear wife Restarted my ticker! She knows CPR Before coming to, I laid eyes on queer sights You ain’t gonna reach by no car!
“Saw hell where the dress code ain’t meant for no prude But nudeness, they hollered, is never permitted All garb must be racy, risqué, or plain lewd Since modesty’s purely forbidden…”
“And next I saw heaven! Less strict than you’d guess All dress there must highlight one’s beauty with flair Its duty: to accent God’s Image the best Armani could never compare!”
“Hell’s speech code is clear, ain’t no way to refuse No courteous or cordial exchange is endured Just cursing and gossip and God’s name abused Complaining and slander and slurs…”
“But speech was plum peachy on those Golden Shores For never ‘is heard a discouraging word‘ All words are affirming and kindness outpours ‘Til laughter ‘n praise are upstirred!”
My feelings evolved as I pictured such visions First shock… as I saw myself happyin hell Then peace… as I vowed to make flightpath decisions Not caring ’bout oglers, I yelled…
“I had best now get ready before the long rest And I’ll start right away! I must ‘dress for success’ I will tame this ol’ tongue for that place to obtain Where each sight and each sound will impress!”
The old man replied, “Friend, such glory’s in store! May God keep our robes for the feast freshly laundered I’ll see you again once we’ve stepped through death’s door!” He waved and then onward he wandered
Plump drops, rudely soaking, awoke me from wonder My feet had me bolting as thunder out burst Mid-sprint, I debated whose rules to live under
Sprawled out on grass, my pal and I stared skyward, analyzing Snugly dandwiched ‘tween the green and blue The impish clouds performed their acrobatics, mesmerizing I pointed up, “A Horse! I mean, a shoe!”
When ended that, up sat my friend and asked, “Will heaven be boring?” Tried keeping calm, but couldn’t, not one bit My inner eyes had pierced the skies to realms of light outpouring Therefrom, the unseen rays my face up lit
“Will heaven be boring?” he stated again Elated, I grinned, “Um, yes! That is, if..
“Not bland or monotonous?” he cautiously blustered Smiling, I mustered, “No way! Unless…
“Michelin” dining; “Grand vin” wining Story sharing; laughing; caring Friendship making, gift exchanging, etc….
Are monotonous!”
“Won’t it be passively static?” he asked Ecstatic, I laughed, then cried, “O no, if…
Kingdom-building; brick road-gilding
Thanking, praising, Love-embracing
For the hellbound, interceding, etc.…
Are not passive!”
“We’ll never feel badly or lonely, I reckon!” “Heck no!” I said gladly, “with umpteen new friends, like… Eve and Adam, garden-tending Noah, bird and boa-nesting Sarah, heavenly hostess-training Jacob, coaching angel-wrestling Paul and Peter, stories; teaching Forbears, Saints and angel fleets Loved ones saved by grace outreaching
She whose prayer all snares defeat Mother, Queen; with care she’ll mind us
Last to mention (but not least) The One, Who’ll from our tears, unblind us…”
“You see, my friend? All loneliness and pain unseen– O Glory Be!-
Will be…
… deceased!”
We started hiking; neither heard the striking Parson’s bell Well lost in thought of celestial locales Is Larson’s “Far Side” heaven just as silly as Larson’s hell? (1) Heav’ns Yes! We’d glimpsed a Glory plain unboring
We’d felt a good despair that earthbound hopes could quell that pain That ache which points toward a higher story We’ll claim that tale in tandem since unclouded hope is gained By boldly looking heavenward… …As pals
The day I’ve “shuffled off this mortal coil”, and on my way (1) Soon pushing up fresh daisies to be picked In case my love’s not perfect yet, for me I hope you’ll pray For I’ll have bought the farm; the bucket kicked
And speak of which, I won’t forget my heaven bucket list I’ll show it to our Father to inspect Aware that soon He’ll give me His own list (of greater bliss!) Before I check things off, with Him I’ll check
Then first, I’ll thank my parents for transmitting God’s own caring Relay what I’d not time to say on earth They’ll share so many tales; how God conspired toward their pairing We’ll bare our souls, in awe of our new birth
I’ll serve my dad and sibs some treats they rare-to-none indulged in While earthbound (lest their stomachs groan and scream) Some ice cream! then I’ll gladly watch them eat, their hearts a-bulgin’ Next, a “Domino’s” (quite literally) Supreme! (2)
My sibs I’ll know much better than while in this vale of tears No worldly, time-bound worries to impair We’ll share life’s sprints, and walks, and crawls; our prides and joys; our fears Their dreams of which I was not then aware
Next on the list, I’ll find both grandmas, whom I never knew And hug them! Oh, the stories they will tell My mother’s dad will share some hairy tales from World War Two My father’s will spin charming yarns as well
I’ll gather heaven’s orchestra and choir unsurpassed Then summon Bach and Handel to the stage Engaging them, “Sirs, please conduct Messiah… Please, your Mass” Each maestro then would give God all the praise
Another item on my list may shock or make you pause I’ll hunt for those who hurt me, or annoyed Lambasted, blamed, or blocked me for no reason! Why? Because They taught me how to love, and hell avoid
With perfect love, our joy will be to play, create, and tarry Within the Heart of God, the Father’s House To laugh with Saints; to flourish in the nurturing of Mary To dine where host and server is The Spouse (3
Heaven’s bucket list has goals we had not thought nor dared It bears no end; its splendors will not cease “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it been conceived The things prepared for those who love the Lord” (1 Cor. 2:9) So run the race Your pace increase To reach that place Of grace- What joy!- And never-ending bucketfuls… Of peace
*****
(1) Shakespeare, Hamlet
(2) “Domino’s” means “The Lord’s” in Latin
(3) Luke 12:37: Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them (ESV)
May I retell a winsome tale A pal named Floyd told me? “My days”, he claimed, “are seldom great” “But always good, you see!” He paused to wait
My doubt poured out, “You have no days Upset by Murphy’s Law?” Said Floyd, “I used to, but no more!” “Why not?” I probed in awe He took the floor
“For years I begged my Father, God To make me kind and wise To guide me in pursuit of Christ To splice our hearts, His fire To melt my ice”
“I lived a pleasant peasant life Of children, wife and farming One charming day I met a nun Whose sunny smile was warm Chock full of fun”
“Her sandaled feet and cloak of wool Were fully back with crud ‘Good day to you, good day!’ I cried Can’t lie; was clear as mud What she replied”
‘Oh, thank you sir, forwishing good But I cannot recall A single day that I’d call ill For Christians, after all Can love God’s Will!’
“Oh Sister, how ought Christians live? “Please share your thoughts!” I pleaded “You radiate such joy, I see Your peace seems undefeated How could that be?”
She said, ‘By willing what God wills Not one bad day can pass When meat runs out, I bless His Name Another chance to fast On beans or grain’
‘When persecuted for that Name His love I gladly reap (Mt. 5:12) He gives me His own Cross to share Partners finding wayward sheep With work and prayer!’
‘If slowed by sleet or snowy banks I thank Him for such beauties When asked to cook or scrub or spin I offer God these duties For all our sins’
‘You see, all things- yes, all– that come Flow first through loving Hands He changes bad to greatest good
How could you learn His plan? Remember this my friend:
Through loving prayer, and prayerful love, you would!’
“With tears I thanked her, heart a-tugged She hugged me; made her way Her swayful words remained within Since then, not one ‘bad day’ Must say, I’ve had!”
Then Floyd stepped toward the door, and grinned “Good day to you, my friend! Today, tomorrow, and ever more Good days that know no end!” Then he closed that door
Yet Floyd had flung another door Ajar in me to One Whose ‘Midas touch’ turns all to grace Whose Face is like the sun
God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose… Romans 8:28
Strict justice would require that God will provide relief to you who are sorely tried, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels… -2 Thessalonians 1:6,7,10
My car ditched the road for the ditch full of muck It rolled on its side I hollered, “O, yuck!” Along came a dude in a big old tow truck… Was it “luck”… or was it
The Lord?
I searched high and low for job for a year With kids rarely full With spouse full of fear Them coming from nowhere, an offer appeared “Lucky stars”… or
The “Bright Morning Star”? (Revelation 22:16)
My phone my companion; long time since been hugged My joy was in “sleep mode” My hopes were “unplugged” An old friend reached out! We caught up up over mugs Was it “fate”, or
A gift from beyond?
The prenatal test showed that something was wrong The doc said “abort” The child “wouldn’t live long” But our kid turned out healthy, vivacious and strong
Call it “chance”…
Or “happenstance”?
Not a chance…
Each child is a dream that’s come true...
Redeemed and predestined to join in that heavenly throng
I lurch awake with dreams of bread The flour I’ve got, but sugar I’ll borrow Must roll from bed ‘fore rolling dough “Parting is such sweet sorrow”
The first step: proof or feed the leaven Till magic froth and foam increase Each loaf recalls a word from heaven “God’s Kingdom is like yeast” (1)
Step two: combine, refine the dough Add sugar, and perhaps more flour Each step a sign of faith and hope In sub-creation’s power
Next step: you’ll need to knead the dough Press out your stress! till it’s elastic With floury hands, push deep and pull Be ruthless, fierce, bombastic
Now wait! allow the dough to rise Within a greased and covered bowl Until it’s nicely twice it’s size Shy leaven makes it grow
You might next punch it down (not tap) Then pan it for the second rise And top with towel or plastic wrap If needed, shoo the flies
Preheat your oven to the temp And bake the prize till handsome brown Then let it cool with tempting scent At last, call friends around
These steps fulfilled, you’re prepped to feast Before your eat, let grace be said Your joy will rise like Kingdom yeast
When you stretch a friendly hand To lift a struggling peer You’ll find yourself uplifted quick “More blest” it is to seek “to give… “Than to receive”, it’s clear
Gifts bestowed on needy folks Or checks cut to cut pain Deposit to your bank above! When Scrooge’s greed met Tim’s great need * It died! To both their gain
If you donate valuables To charity or thrift store You’ll store up endless treasures where Not “moth or rust” nor “thieves” will bust Forever to endure
As you shine your faith-light bright Upon a cancer fighter It bounces back upon yourself Freshhope appears! Venetian mirrors Could not reflect it brighter
“As you give to other men So also you receive Good measure… poured into your lap” Your measure will be used for you Where “eye has never seen”
*****
*A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt. 6:19-20)
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Lk. 6:38)
Heav’n is not “pie in the sky” Nor harps ‘n puffed clouds “by and by” Hope’s not some delusion But free-will-collusion With grace that Christ died to supply
Heav’n’s feast offers more than sky-pies “Rich food and choice wines” will surprise (Is. 25) To taste the “Lamb’s Supper” Confess your mess-uppers (Mt. 3:2) To you, His own Blood He applies
The enemy’s clutches you’ll fly As daily you choose “Humble Pie” God’s banquet reserved For “children” who served The King hid within all who cry (Mt. 25)
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 