Poems, Personal Stories, and Observations

Posts tagged ‘sins’

More Crimes of My Youth

I was about eight years old. It was probably just after Halloween, and I went over to my neighbor’s to play with my friend Joey. Maybe we were comparing our candy hauls, or he was just showing me his. I don’t know what possessed me, but when he was out of the room, I took one of the candies: An orange wax candy harmonica, a real prize. (They are making a comeback: see https://woweewaxwhistles.com/.)

I’m not sure how I got away with it, but I took it home, and presumably ate it.

But, I DIDN’T get away with it. His mom confronted me at some point, and asked if I’d taken it. I had to confess, “Yes”. The consequence was that I had to pay for the candy or buy a new one. That one smart mom prevented me from ever becoming a future thief.

Tenth grade: I was about 15. Again, who knows my motivation (just trying to prove I was grown up? boredom with school?), but I played hooky several times from class. Once or twice, it was biology, and another time I think it was geometry.

Eventually, my conscience caught up with me. Did I hear something about honesty in church? Did I already know deep down inside that it was wrong? Something caused me to confess to my teachers and to say I was sorry. I still suffered the demerits in my grades; however, the teachers did not hold it against me personally, and were actually quite kind.

How good it is to confess our sins!

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Personal story

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Restoration

Sand the nicks and fill the cracks,
Stain and varnish, maybe wax.
Smoothing, repairing, filling holes,
Some furniture — renewed from old.

Abandoned home, so full of junk,
Rats and mice, and smelly stuff.
Maybe gutted to foundation;
Now begins the restoration.

A leaky boat; it can’t be used,
A hole-filled shoe; it’s been abused.
A crack-ed window lets wind in;
Repairmen will transform these “sins”.

So take my soul, O Lord, renew
The parts that have rejected You.
Renew, refresh, and cleanse, until —
My soul with You is one again.

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Poems

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Marriage Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for the gift of marriage.

We ask you to please be the Lord of our marriage. Help us to love you more than each other.

Help us to love You and each other more every day.

Help us to appreciate each other’s gifts, talents, and virtues.

Help us to overlook each other’s faults and forgive each other’s sins.

Amen.

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prayer

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Judge Me Not

Since I am weak and you are strong,
Yes, please correct, but judge me not.

Shouting and yelling just bring fear,
Withdrawal, holding back with tears.

If you would gently point the way,
More likely will I blameless stay.

Because you know a better road,
Please kindly show me; do not goad.

I went about in ignorance;
How can a judged one recompense?

Unless I know your faithful love,
My sins it’s hard to rise above.

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Poems

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The Wanderer

Lost in the desert,
Mouth parched and dry,
Wandering always,
Wondering why.

Shadows approaching;
Must keep at bay —
Walk toward the sunlight;
On the path stay.

Desperate searching,
Cold from the chill.
Is all this wandering
Really Your will?

Increase my faith,
My sins forgive.
Make my path straight,
So I can live.

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Faith, Poems

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I Dreamed That It Was Raining

[Written during the California drought of 2014 and during the Ferguson, Missouri, riots.]

I dreamed that it was raining
And streets were wet again.
The cars went by
And gave a sigh
As water splashed on them.

I dreamed that it was raining
And children laughed aloud.
With gleeful hoots
Their muddy boots
Through puddles gaily plowed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And clouds burst forth in flood.
Their waters calmed
The violence strong
And peace could now be found.

I dreamed that it was raining
And living water sped
From streamlets high
To rivers dry —
The thirsty land was fed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And black made friends with white.
The past was healed,
Their friendship sealed,
With harmony in sight.

I dreamed that it was raining
Upon the wasted land.
The thirsty earth
Could now give birth
To many seedlings grand.

I dreamed that it was raining
And cleansing tears were shed
O’er mem’ries deep,
I now could sleep,
Could rest upon my bed.

I dreamed that it was raining
And God forgave my sins.
He calmed my fears
And dried my tears,
And I could live again.

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Poems

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