Human Faults

“Great soul—but for one thing.”
(Perhaps there could be two!)
Some folks do seem so nice
by what they say and do.
But should they open up
and honestly confess,
we’d learn they have their faults
and weaknesses, no less.

The heroes in the books
of fiction, which we read,
seem somewhat more than life
the total truth’s not said.
And even history books
don’t always merit trust.
There’s slant and prejudice
toward those returned to dust.

Our heroes we admire
and praise them to our friends;
our children we instruct
to reach for similar ends.
But caution is the need
when heroes we exalt;
their image can be marred,
we may discover fault.

Our Lord’s the only One
in whom no sin was found;
our guilt was laid on Him;
He paid on Calvary’s mound.
Let’s place our trust in Him
for mercy on Him call;
with angels join in praise
and crown Him Lord of all.

fpn/November 1984



Picture: depositphotos.com #11543428, editorial license

Exchanging Places

If I were you and you were I,

which one would gain the most?

To each, no dobut, some things we prize

would sadly then be lost.

I’m sure that you have qualities

which I might well adopt;

and I have habits, I’ll admit,

which really should be dropped.

By such an exchange, we’d assume

all traits—both good and bad;

would one of us come out ahead,

the other, sad or mad?

Our friends just see what seems to be,

whene’er we chance to meet;

we place our best foot forward so

they’ll think we’re really neat.

Just empty speculation, which 

I thought could never be;

for there’s no human being who 

would care to trade with me.

But then I was reminded of 

a man who did one day!

Gave up His life, assuming mine

and bore my guilt away.

How could this God-Man, virgin born, 

such grace on me bestow?

It isn’t mine to question,

but to believe and know!

fpn/1986

Picture: Undercover Boss, accessed June 25, 2017