It's Not Too Late

Wow! am I ever glad to be here!
But I must confess I was surprised that
You called me.
You know, I'm not SO old yet.

I never WALKED on gold before;
A couple of gold jewelry chains
and some rings were about it.

The sky is so blue and clear;
Beauty and orderliness everywhere.

I know some of those people over there.
From our church.
They don't seem to particularly notice me.
Oh well, I didn't pay much attention
to them either.
When we were near each other.

But Jesus, You welcomed me.
I'm glad for that.
I can tell You're happy to have me here.
Still, You seem kinda reserved.
Maybe even sad.

Strange. Some things are dawning
on me.
Now I realize that most of the people I
worked with
Won't be here.
I can't believe how utterly self-centered
I was.

I thought it was stalwart to just "live"
like a Christian.
Just warming a pew on Sundays.
I knew I was born-again, I remember the
time I asked You to come into my heart.
But my faith was weak.
I see that now.
Sometimes my Bible lay unread for days.
You know, magazines, papers, TV.
Always beckoning.

And praying!
Well, Lord, you know there can't be many here
because of my prayers.
A few quick "God bless"es while sailing
down the freeway
In between gulps of coffee
Were about it.

There's no excuse either.

I can't remember how many times our pastor
spoke on prayer.
And YOU nudged me, too, Lord.
I was so caught up in day-to-day
living.

I planned to pray more.
To help people more.
To ask YOU what You really wanted.
Some day. Some day.
I just forgot how short life can be.
In reality I forgot the purpose You had
for me.
Now I see that it wasn't to "get ahead."
Or to keep up with even the
Christian Joneses.
Or to just have the latest "things."

I was to be Your witness.
To take Your place.
That was the last speech You gave to
Your disciples.
And to all Your children.

There's no use asking if I can go
back;
Back to help my family.
They were always glad when I kept
my "religion" to myself.

Back to the office.
Don sure isn't ready. Neither is Jack.
Or Carl, for that matter. Or Alice.
I know I could have made all of them
listen.
I could have shown more interest.
Been more caring.

There wasn't much "cup of cold water"
business from MY life.

But, like You said, if I did go back
They probably wouldn't listen.
They'd think I was a ghost.
Or deranged.

This is really getting to me, Lord.
Now I know why You were sad
when You greeted me.
I'm glad You said You'd wipe away
our tears.
There wouldn't be enough Kleenex in
all of Heaven
To comfort me and others who've
lived just for ourselves.

Thank you for Praying

This morning I was burdened,
I couldn't even pray,
I said, "My Lord, I don't know why,
But I don't know what to say."

How could I have the wisdom
To know just how to ask,
The problem was too big for me
My need I couldn't mask.

I read my Bible, did my work,
Both listlessly and slow,
I just couldn't reach the Throne Room
For my soul had lost its glow.

So I lifted up my problem,
Gave it all to Him to mend--
How even He could sort it out
I couldn't comprehend.

The day wore on and tasks were done
I move in robot-style,
When suddenly I sensed a change,
From inside I could smile.

Dark presssure was all lifted,
My mind was calm and still,
The change was so dramatic
It went beyond my will.

I pondered what had happened
And then I clearly knew
That God had touched some tender heart
I wonder, was it you?

He'd asked for one to stand up strong
To pray and praise and rout
The enemy who like a flood
Had moved in all about.

"Oh my Father, thank you!
For the one who prayed for me,
Please give that one a special touch
Who served so faithfully."