Poetry

Just A Weaver
by Benjamin Malacia Franklin

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who chose to walk with Him.

Change The Pattern
Poet: Greta Zwaan, ©2017

God did not look down from heaven to see me as one who’s a jewel;
He saw far beyond what I’m able, I desperately needed renewal.
My mind was, “I am persuaded not many are serving as well;
I feel that I set an example, for in many points I do excel.”

I give and I tithe as required – my funds, my talents and time;
I think that folks are inspired; really, it’s good, quite sublime.
So why am I still without comfort? Why do I feel incomplete?
There’s a spot in my heart that feels empty; my efforts still end in defeat.

I ponder and find the conclusion – the story is not about me;
I’m trying to win God’s approval while God’s plan is setting me free.
My eyes should be focused on Jesus, not what I can achieve;
But on His great plan of salvation, and only on that I should believe.

The pattern of works will soon follow, then willingness follows in kind;
The joy of being His servant will leave self exulting behind.
God will receive all the glory, the rightful owner of praise,
I’ll feel blessed and rewarded; I’ve changed my thoughts to His ways.

Good Friday
by Christina Rossetti (1830–1894)

AM I a stone and not a sheep
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy Cross,
To number drop by drop Thy Blood’s slow loss,
And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved 5
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;

Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky, 10
A horror of great darkness at broad noon—
I, only I.

Yet give not o’er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more 15
And smite a rock.

The Link In The Chain
Poet: Greta Zwaan, © 2018

I’m not the one to make judgements; I’m not the one to set goals,
I’m just a tool for the Master, part of His team to save souls.
I’m not the one with the answers to all the questions you ask,
I’m not the one full of knowledge; I’m hardly up to the task.

I too am one who is searching, why has the world gone astray?
I have found peace in my Saviour but others have not found their way.
So, God, if You’re willing to use me, a link in the chain of events,
Give me instructions to follow, words that to lost souls make sense.

Help me to keep it as simple as Jesus revealed to the crowd;
Not oratorical flourish, not being boisterous or loud.
Simply the plan of salvation, let it appeal to mankind,
Its wonderful peace You have offered,
Peace to the soul and the mind.

Troubles That Never Came
Poet: David V. Bush

The bridges that I’ve often crossed
Before they came in sight,
Have been of many, many kinds;
Been grey, or black, or white.
I fancied many brutish ones,
And many could not name;
I ‘ve had my many troubles, but
The worst ones never came!

When squirrels get their nuts for food.
They gather for a year,
And do not worry ’bout the next,
For that they have no fear,
But man is not content today,
He lives with troubled aim;
A-thinking ’bout the troubles past.
And those which never came!

Some people build their mounts of care
Of many sorts and kind.
Which like the bridges that they build.
Are mostly in their mind.
Though sun’s ablaze and sky is clear,
They think of lightning’s flame.
They had their many troubles, but
The worst ones never came!

Now God is in the universe.
The birds and squirrels know,
They worry not, nor do they fret.
For what we reap we sow,
If we sow deeds they’ll bear their fruit.
For God will hear our claim;
If we trust Him then we can say.
The worst ones never came!