Jesus never said Nor would He ever sneer “Get over it; just suck it up” But instead… He’ll catch and store each tear*
This Captain never sighed “You’ve missed the boat again!” “You’ve really dropped the ball this time” Nope, rewind… Fresh starts, He’ll ever send
This Shepherd has not scoffed “How could you veer so badly?” “Just give up now; you’re off the track” Oh, pish posh… He’ll cheer and steer you gladly
The Word did not express Nor would He whatsoever “Your life’s a helpless, hopeless mess” So don’t stress... Give up on you, He’d never
This Doctor has not spoken Through Scripture or Tradition “You’re past repair; you’re just too broken” By the same token… Your wholeness? His whole mission
The Savior did not state Nor ever will He tell you “Your guilt’s too great to be erased” Or “God helps those who help themselves!”** Or “You will get what you deserve” Au contraire… From every shameful slav’ry, He’ll unsell you ***** *”You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle” (Psalm 56:8, ESV).
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
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 