Reassurance

Now as I face the year ahead 
of nineteen seventy-five,
I might become discouraged
and perhaps afraid to live.
But since I know what Jesus said
and what He’s promised me,
I feel that I can move ahead
by faith—and cheerfully.

The year just past brought sorrows which
so crushed my heart with woe,
for unannounced bereavement struck—
I’m glad I didn’t know
ahead of time that it would come;
but this I’m glad to say,
that God was there with ample grace
to help me through each day.

“My peace,” He said, “I give to you;
come unto me and rest.
I am the gentle Shepherd,
and I always seek your best.
So follow closely in the paths
that lead to pastures green,
and by still waters that I know
where you have never been.

“I will not leave thee, nor forsake;
let nothing come between.
You’ll lose, not win, by worrying
o’er things that might have been.”
And so, for me, “To live is Christ,”
and yes, “to die is gain.”
By faith, I’ll take each step ahead
till He makes all things plain.

fpn/1974

Editor's note: This was written the year Frank and Eva's third child, Jack, died in a car collision. He was buried on his 26th birthday. A few months earlier, a newborn granddaughter lived only three days due to complications during her birth. Her father (oldest son, Charles) reflects, "What a sad time it was -- and still is as we bring it to mind. But now they are all in the Lord's presence -- in the realm of untold joy!"

Published as poem #56 in Contemporary Psalms
Picture: depositphotos.com #31799065, standard license

Unpleasant Memories

As I think of yester-years—
precious memories—oh, yes!
Yet I feel chills and tingling spine
all too often, I confess.

“How could I have been so daft?”
“How must I have come across?”
Little consolation that
others too, amass such dross.

Talk of sawing off a limb,
and then plummeting to earth!
Pride and wit and pedigree
must have missed me at my birth.

Though it’s awkward to be poor,
that does not bother so;
but attempts to compensate,
or pretend—that laid me low.

“Be content,” the scriptures say,
with your lot and where you stand.
When you’re humble, you will find
many friends to lend a hand.

There are some who seem so calm
and relaxed, yes—proper too,
who have “hang-ups” and regrets
much the same as me and you.

Life is like a mile-long train—
many boxcars, rattling on;
let’s all pull together, friend,
as we rumble toward the Son.

fpn/86



Picture: depositphotos.com #133207672, standard license