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Grace

This poem is about God's grace - a challenging theme to capture in words!


Grace

A woman, weeping,

crumpled on the floor,

trapped in the impenetrable prison of her own, imperfect life –

the bars are not steel,

the walls are not high or

covered with brutal barbed wire,

but her prison is real.

Grace, yet undiscovered.

 

A man,

wheeling and dealing in the business world,

making his mark in millions

on the world rich list,

the picture of worldly success,

locks up his multiplex of offices,

slopes home, alone,

to an immaculate, soulless, house, where photos of his family

are all he has left

to remind him

he was once much richer.

Grace, yet unacknowledged.

 

The pensioner,

stopping each evening to pour herself drink after drink,

to numb the pain that pierces

as she caresses the framed photograph.

of her late husband

in her wrinkled hands,

remembering the joys and regrets,

wondering how she’ll go on now he is gone.

Grace, not yet received.

 

A tiny man, up a tree,

a tax collector, despised for decades,

a liar, a swindler, a cheat,

unable to live with himself much longer,

climbs a tree,

a last resort,

to find out once and for all,

if there really is hope,

if there really is grace,

even for such as he.

 

As each loses the fight in the battle to stand alone,

as each looks up,

cries heavenwards in desperation,

‘Are You there? Do You even care?’…

Love breaks in.

 

Grace shatters walls, defences,

battlements, ramparts,

habits and thought patterns,

built up through years of darkness and despair.

 

Zacchaeus come down!

Young woman rise up!

Foolish man, surrender!

Old woman, take my hand!

 

Overflowing, abounding, matchless grace,

God’s free gift,

absolute favour,

loving kindness,

takes each one,

however desperate,

however hopeless,

however many mistakes once made,

sets feet on firm foundations afresh,

reminds

that no-one deserves this gift,

not one,

and yet the gift is given,

over and over,

grace heaped upon grace.

 

Grace that assures that tomorrow is secure,

grace that declares, today is provided for,

grace that whispers, yesterday is forgiven.

Grace that calls us his children,

if we will place our trust in Jesus’ sacrifice.

Grace that gives all we need when things are good

and more when things are tough.

 

Dare we imagine such complete forgiveness?

Can our earth-bound minds begin to picture such grace,

bringing freedom and hope,

now and on and on, forever?

Can we contemplate one more day,

one more hour,

standing feebly alone,

without such overflowing strength and love?

 

It is His to give.

It is ours to receive,

in exchange for a straightforward surrender.

 

Reach out in faith,

Reach out in faith

And take hold of this matchless gift

of God’s amazing grace.

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