A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

  “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6   I’ve watched You walk across Scripture’s pages: The holy, spotless One Whose piercing gaze looks through the ages With truth and grace, heaven’s bright Son. You put in us a holy hunger To stand before You as we ought; But in countless ways, the whole world over, Your Divine smile billions have sought.   The thirst to know that You’re pleased with me Can only be quenched one way: “O righteous, innocent Lamb, I plead Give what I could never earn or pay.” Then Your endless supply of righteousness Is mine for eternity! A beggar no more, with Bread I am blessed, Enjoying the cup of salvation* daily.     * Psalm 116:12-13

  “Strength and honour are her clothing…” Proverbs 31:25 Last year on Mother’s Day, I wrote a blog post for my mom and Bill’s mom. Today, I write a tribute in honour of the two grandmothers I knew as a young adult, Mary Boley and Reba Hall. In these two ladies I observed portraits of truly classy people. With all my heart, I hope that as I age I will mirror the timeless qualities they exuded.     What marks a lady who has real class? That unchanging beauty though decades pass. It’s something that white hair and wrinkles can’t mask. It’s a fineness of soul no matter life’s task. It’s dignity and honour in the way that she dresses, And a smile that comes from her eyes and embraces The ones that she loves with acceptance and grace,   For harsh criticisms with her find no place. Class knows Whose she is and acts like He does: With kindness, instead of a frenzied mad buzz, Selflessly giving an interest in others. With courage continuing when she ...

       When I got my first driver’s license, I marked that I wanted to be an organ donor should the uninvited opportunity to do so occur. It was a matter-of-fact decision: of course I would want to make a difference for someone one last tangible way, to give what I could as an expression of the second greatest commandment.     Since last Thursday evening, I have come to view organ donation from a new perspective. The Children’s Hospital of Atlanta flew this flag last Friday – Sunday in honor of my nephew, who received a liver transplant.  I now have experienced the emotions that come from being a family member of someone who was given a chance to live because of the gift someone he will never meet in this life gave. It is such a bittersweet gift. Though we do not know who they are, we have earnestly prayed for the family who lost a loved one. As my brother wrote, “We will be forever grateful to the family who in the midst of tragedy chose to give life ...