The Journey to Favor

This story begins in a small country school
where love was abandoned, he felt like a fool,
frightened and ridiculed by peers bringing shame
words inflicting a pain that he could not tame,
living a nightmare each day all alone
leaving a wound that must be carried at home.

Broken yet humble, he works on the farm
confidence fleeing to the burden of harm,
loved by a family held safe in their care
valued and known in the depth of their prayer,
finding true romance with a girl from the city
wedding his bride, she helps support through the gritty.

Many colors of seasons they face together
the raindrops of hope despite the harsh weather,
raising their children in a house filled with love
trusting in Jesus gaining strength from above,
learning the lesson of living redeemed
secure in love even when hard times are screamed.

Faithfully he serves the church as an elder
still weighed down by doubts, he wants to find shelter,
carrying the scars from the bullies he faced
when disagreements arise his steps are retraced,
hurt and rejected his heart torn apart
needing assurance from the healer of hearts.

Restored in the beauty of grace given freely
appreciating at last that he's loved dearly,
resting assured even when his body is aching
still smiling and grinning in joy he's partaking,
grandchildren a delight as they rest on his chest
a father of value, he always gives of his best.

This story ends in a small country field
his broken heart at last completely healed,
an attack that sees his next breath with the Saviour
bold, he approaches no longer fighting for favor,
forgiven and cherished all shame left behind
connected forever as God has designed.

Note: The title of the poem is not meaning that he didn't have God's favor and he had to journey to find it or earn it. It's meaning is it was a journey/struggle for him to discover the fulness of the favor that was his already through the grace of God. A journey each of us needs to make. For our value is defined by God, who was willing to die for us.