From Mirth To Mourning

Many days I spent in joyous pursuit
of comfort and of ease
the primary goal of my selfish soul was
living, myself to please.

At the altar of self exaltation
daily my knee to bow
no distraction, as I sought satisfaction,
just living for here and now.

I didn't consider eternity
as I partied for all I was worth
time danced along as I sang my own song
ensconced in the house of mirth.

Then one day tragedy arrived,
suddenly and without warning.
Sucker punched and bereft,
all merriment left,
as I entered the house of mourning.

I cried and cried
when my young friend died.
The loss, it left me reeling.
My broken heart was really the start
of my wayward soul's true healing.

Before this season of sorrow
I lived for amusement and laughter.
Til I was distraught, I just gave no thought
on where I would spend the hereafter.

It took a dawning of darkness
to open my blinded eyes.
I needed forgiving for my manner of living,
so careless and unwise.

How good of God in His mercy
to see that I was brought low.
When calamity knocked, my world was rocked
so my sinful state I could know.

Though mirth's house may appear more enjoyable
and seem what many are craving,
mourning's abode, just might be God's mode
to solicit a lost soul's saving.

"It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Ecclesiastes 7:2-4