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A Talk
He looked into the mirror
to shave the stubble on his chin
He draws a breath, a rugged sigh,
"Lord, it's me again!"
Another day is starting
the thoughts begin to stray
"I wonder what will be in store,
and what will come my way?"
He goes outside to do his chores
but mostly just to pray...
sitting down...his favorite spot
he prepares for what he'll say.
The Lord speaks suddenly to his heart
"Son, just please be still.
I have some things to say to you,
please listen, if you will.
"Seventy-five years ago
My plans for you began.
And now as you sit before Me,
there are things to understand.
"Life is not a sum total
of your life's mistakes.
It's not success, or where you failed,
not whether you're small or great.
"It's not your heartaches; it's not your joys,
nor accomplishments to behold.
Neither is it a series of events
to remember when you are old.
"For life is a gift I gave you;
I fashioned you with My heart.
I had a plan of you in mind;
these gifts did I impart...
"A man of convictions, a man of dreams,
dependable, resilient and strong.
A giver, a doer, a loyal friend,
standing when things go wrong.
"I made you a dreamer, a wanderer too,
yet a man who gets things done.
Sometimes stern, sometimes tender,
a deep capacity to love."
And so he sits and thinks about
all the Lord has said
he knows the talk is not quite done
yet thoughts run through his head.
Before his mind could bring up thoughts
of memories long ago
the Lord broke through and spoke again
"Here is what you need to know...
"The day you bowed your heart
and asked Me to forgive,
that is when I cleansed your through
and you began to live.
"For every man's a sinner
and every man is flesh.
But when a man bows his heart
My Spirit comes afresh.
"And now these gifts I gave you
will reflect My Son;
walking in the path I choose,
a servant you've become.
"Now serve Me with your whole heart;
don't look back, nor left or right.
Always keep your eyes fixed on Me,
for that is My delight!
"Don't let regrets fill your mind
or cause your heart to stray.
Just have faith and walk in Me;
I'll show you the way."
As the talk came to its end
he wiped a tear away
his heart felt light and full of hope
he knew how he would pray.
"Father, up in heaven,
I thank you for Your Son,
Who shed His blood on the Cross
so that we could be one.
"Thank You for forgiveness
and a brand new start.
I put my hope and trust in you,
I'll serve You with my heart!"
And so the talk concluded
he went about his day
but his heart would always ponder
all the Lord did say.
Happy 75th birthday Dad!
(Patti Campbell-Jensvold/2006)
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