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Poems

Inspirational verse submitted by readers.

"Earth's preparatory school...."

So many lessons, So much homework, So many tests? But what a privilege, And what an opportunity! What inspiring textbooks, What patient teachers. What finer headmaster? What absorbing lectures, And what dedicated congenial students Enrolled in this splendid school! What a magnificent chapel, So quiet, serene, this house of God.

Enter in!

Father, I'm ready to enter my closet, closing the door on things unlike prayer. This closet is consciousness, God-blessed and pure, wholly untroubled by cluttersome care.

Date: day of God's creating

Today, above all else, I love loving You and Your creation. I love glorifying You and bearing witness to You and only You! I love feeling Your love surrounding and caring for me and all mankind.

The eternal now

Neither suffering, pain, nor tears Exist in eternity But the clear consciousness Of a heart all humility. This heart cannot suffer from year succeeding year, From trials of time or other souvenir Of obsessive past or future never here Or even a regret of weakness far or near, But in hope rejoicing This heart finds its all In infinite ever-present Thou, Eternal now.

The encompassing

Once when I felt so compassed about with false witnesses, so battered and bruised by false accusations, I fell to my knees. Then I remembered that was a good attitude for prayer.

The higher view

Why climb? I asked. Why the trouble— the boots, the parka, the pack— Why climb? And they said, The discovery.

Prayer for the newborn

As you grow up, grow out; Out of finite human ability into Infinite spiritual capability: Expressing, reflecting God, all good. Grow out of mortal sense and strife Into glowing, radiant, vibrant Life.

Sunday School

Thank you for this tiny little mustard seed of an hour, tucked into a week of seven days, one hundred sixty-eight hours. Yet this little hour fits in, sweetly, innocently.

Where am I?

"Which way from here? Oh yes, I know the land, Each hill and stone; but Whither now? Whence and why? WHERE AM I?" Holy ground. Put off thy shoes.

Preparing to sing the solo

It was Sunday, and I had to sing once more, but no voice came. I thought of stuttering Moses, who wondered why he had been chosen; and of God, who said, "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee.