God Loves Me.

When I was just a little child, so many years ago,
joy and gladness filled my face wherever I would go.
I never had to worry. I had no earthly care.
I'd play all day and then that night, I'd say my evening prayer.

But then, as I grew older, some pain would fill my face,
I'd scrape my knees and elbows - once broke mom's pretty vase.
Then passing through my teenage years, I learned so very much,
but opinions got the best of me and stole the Masters touch.

Years had passed - and decades too - in my tenacious life.
Oh, I had pounded my own drum and blew my little fife.
Like a tree with trunk and limbs - I knew each branch, their twigs.
I grew in all directions - in twisted zags and zigs.

As God exposed His beauty - in me, in every leaf,
I soaked up all that certainty, with faith in my belief.
One by one leaves opened, full proof for all to see -
but I forgot about my roots and what God's plan might be.

One day sitting on my throne - in educated bliss....
I wondered (Bible open in my hands) what secret did I miss?
I panted in my studies. I prayed in earnest pleas....
then it hit like a ton of bricks - and crushed me to my knees.

My mighty tree had crashed in vain. It timbered from the sky....
Yes, only God knows everything – every truth and lie.
God found that long lost child once more as tears poured down my cheeks,
and I found that special joy again. I listen when He speaks.

I follow in His footsteps. I let his Spirit heal -
and once again, as long before, the Master's touch I feel.
In faith I lay me down to sleep - my deathbed He can see,
and nothing really matters now, except that God loves me.

This poem won second place for the December 2011 poetry contest