A SUNDAY MORNING OFFERING...
Believe it or not, this came in a dream He sent...I woke up, stumbled into the den and wrote it almost in one piece...hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!
THE MUSTARD SEED
The elderly woman tossed and turned
But sleep just wouldn't come
Her mind was busy listing
All the things she hadn't done...
This afternoon the doctor'd said
That she hadn't very long...
They'd done all that they could do
The disease was just too strong!
It wasn't death that frightened Rose
For her faith was in the Lord...
What she feared was facing judgement
With doubts she could ill afford!
She'd never even figured out
What her life's mission should have been!
Eighty years had flown right by
And now she'd reached the end!
She was disappointed in herself
At not having more to show
For all the years that she'd been granted
And now it was her time to go!
Oh she'd tried to live a good life
To spread Christ's message and His Name
But feared that when she faced the Father?
She'd have to hang her head in shame!
Despair and doubt filled up her mind
While sleep stayed far away...
Then all at once the woman blinked
And saw the light of day!
She found herself in a garden
It's beauty beyond belief!
Sunshine, flowers..."It's just a dream!"
Rose thought with much relief!
Determined to enjoy her rest
Plus whatever the dream might hold
She walked easily down a sunlit path
Feeling neither sick nor old.
She reached the crest of a gentle hill
And stood staring down the slope
At least a hundred people milled about
Faces full of joy and hope!
Some of them seemed familiar
Although she didn't know their names...
Then a man's voice close beside her, said
"They know you just the same!"
Startled the woman whirled around
To see a slender, bearded man
Standing beside her on the hill
Smiling as he took her hand...
"Let's go down and meet them now...
Relax, Rose....have no fear!"
His voice was soft and very gentle
"No one will harm you here!"
Though confused...she let him lead her
Down the hill into the crowd
He pointed out folks here and there
Calling each by name out loud!
"Hello Flora! Look....it's Rose!!
Your angel from the bus!"
The girl looked at the old woman smiling,
Saying, "Do you remember us?"
Poor Rose was quite bewildered
She said, "My memory's gotten slack!"
She glanced for help to her companion
Who smiled, "Close your eyes...think back!"
"You were a busy wife and mother
Rushing home to cook a meal…
Then on the bus you saw a homeless girl
Whose need and pain were real!
The temperature was freezing
But you did not hesitate
Stripped off your coat and wrapped her up
Even though it made you late!
The poor girl tried to give it back
Her eyes suspicious and quite wild
But you buttoned it on her firmly
Saying, "We're all God's children, child!"
Rose's face began to glow
"Yes!! I remember clearly now!"
Amazed for although 60 years had passed
Flora looked the same somehow!
"And here is Frank!" said the bearded man
"Do you remember him as well?
He and his wife were your good friends
Until he landed in a cell....
An awful day, a pile of stress
Led him to a bad decision...
His wife and friends all turned their backs
The day they sentenced him to prison...
But not you, Rosie....you were there!
Visiting faithfully every week!"
Frank grasped her hand & bowed his head
Too overcome to speak!
"You brought him books, your time and prayers,
Anything to help him cope!
You gave so freely of yourself
That Frank received the gift of hope!"
And look...there's Pete and Linda too!"
Her new friend knew them all!
The names & faces of lives she'd touched
Filled that meadow wall to wall!
"My goodness....there are so many!"
Rosie gasped with much suprise!
The bearded man gazed down at her
Love shining in his eyes....
"Rose, my dear....there are many more
People you don't even know!
Poor souls in need you always helped
When they had nowhere else to go!
And those who learned from your example
From the impression that you made...
30 people who watched on Flora's bus
Went home that night and prayed!
And Frank went on to build his faith
He touched other prisoners by the score!
All because the love you showed to him
Left him searching, wanting more!"
And as he talked, the guide led Rose
Up another, steeper hill...
"You're confused...but soon you'll understand
I promise that you will!"
Placing both hands on her shoulders,
He said, "Rosie....don't you see?
Each act of love done in God's name
Ripples out eternally!
You waste so much time in anguish
Worried about having a bad account...
But when you stand before the Father, Rose
Blessings can only mount!
You didn't move any mountains, true...
But you did everything you could!
You continued with what was begun
On a long ago cross of wood!
Your efforts are like the mustard seed
They insignificant here today
But they’re reaching out, affecting others
Lifetimes and worlds away!
Every ripple joins together
To eventually form a giant wave...
Turn now Rosie and behold
How many souls you've saved!"
Slowly then the woman turned
And saw a seemingly endless sea
Of people stretching far and wide!
"They're all here because of me?"
"Yes they are," he gently said
"So you have no cause to grieve!
You've lived a good and fruitful life
Be willing....to let your heart believe!"
Rose shook her head in wonder
"Now it all makes sense....it's clear!
I can wake and not fear Heaven!"
He laughed, "There's nothing frightening here!"
Rose stared at him, very shocked!
"You mean I've already died???"
He nodded, "Peacefully in your sleep
With me close by your side!"
"But what about Judgement?" questioned Rose
"Meeting Jesus? The Bible's Plan?"
He looked down then into her eyes...
Asking, "Who do you think I am?"
Struck with awe poor Rosie fell
To the ground on both her knees,
But Jesus slowly pulled her up
And gave her hand a gentle sqeeze
"Hold your head up proudly, Rose
Before the Father and the Son...
We've waited a lifetime to say these words
"Well done, My child, well done!!
Dusty Richardson c 2007
THE MUSTARD SEED
The elderly woman tossed and turned
But sleep just wouldn't come
Her mind was busy listing
All the things she hadn't done...
This afternoon the doctor'd said
That she hadn't very long...
They'd done all that they could do
The disease was just too strong!
It wasn't death that frightened Rose
For her faith was in the Lord...
What she feared was facing judgement
With doubts she could ill afford!
She'd never even figured out
What her life's mission should have been!
Eighty years had flown right by
And now she'd reached the end!
She was disappointed in herself
At not having more to show
For all the years that she'd been granted
And now it was her time to go!
Oh she'd tried to live a good life
To spread Christ's message and His Name
But feared that when she faced the Father?
She'd have to hang her head in shame!
Despair and doubt filled up her mind
While sleep stayed far away...
Then all at once the woman blinked
And saw the light of day!
She found herself in a garden
It's beauty beyond belief!
Sunshine, flowers..."It's just a dream!"
Rose thought with much relief!
Determined to enjoy her rest
Plus whatever the dream might hold
She walked easily down a sunlit path
Feeling neither sick nor old.
She reached the crest of a gentle hill
And stood staring down the slope
At least a hundred people milled about
Faces full of joy and hope!
Some of them seemed familiar
Although she didn't know their names...
Then a man's voice close beside her, said
"They know you just the same!"
Startled the woman whirled around
To see a slender, bearded man
Standing beside her on the hill
Smiling as he took her hand...
"Let's go down and meet them now...
Relax, Rose....have no fear!"
His voice was soft and very gentle
"No one will harm you here!"
Though confused...she let him lead her
Down the hill into the crowd
He pointed out folks here and there
Calling each by name out loud!
"Hello Flora! Look....it's Rose!!
Your angel from the bus!"
The girl looked at the old woman smiling,
Saying, "Do you remember us?"
Poor Rose was quite bewildered
She said, "My memory's gotten slack!"
She glanced for help to her companion
Who smiled, "Close your eyes...think back!"
"You were a busy wife and mother
Rushing home to cook a meal…
Then on the bus you saw a homeless girl
Whose need and pain were real!
The temperature was freezing
But you did not hesitate
Stripped off your coat and wrapped her up
Even though it made you late!
The poor girl tried to give it back
Her eyes suspicious and quite wild
But you buttoned it on her firmly
Saying, "We're all God's children, child!"
Rose's face began to glow
"Yes!! I remember clearly now!"
Amazed for although 60 years had passed
Flora looked the same somehow!
"And here is Frank!" said the bearded man
"Do you remember him as well?
He and his wife were your good friends
Until he landed in a cell....
An awful day, a pile of stress
Led him to a bad decision...
His wife and friends all turned their backs
The day they sentenced him to prison...
But not you, Rosie....you were there!
Visiting faithfully every week!"
Frank grasped her hand & bowed his head
Too overcome to speak!
"You brought him books, your time and prayers,
Anything to help him cope!
You gave so freely of yourself
That Frank received the gift of hope!"
And look...there's Pete and Linda too!"
Her new friend knew them all!
The names & faces of lives she'd touched
Filled that meadow wall to wall!
"My goodness....there are so many!"
Rosie gasped with much suprise!
The bearded man gazed down at her
Love shining in his eyes....
"Rose, my dear....there are many more
People you don't even know!
Poor souls in need you always helped
When they had nowhere else to go!
And those who learned from your example
From the impression that you made...
30 people who watched on Flora's bus
Went home that night and prayed!
And Frank went on to build his faith
He touched other prisoners by the score!
All because the love you showed to him
Left him searching, wanting more!"
And as he talked, the guide led Rose
Up another, steeper hill...
"You're confused...but soon you'll understand
I promise that you will!"
Placing both hands on her shoulders,
He said, "Rosie....don't you see?
Each act of love done in God's name
Ripples out eternally!
You waste so much time in anguish
Worried about having a bad account...
But when you stand before the Father, Rose
Blessings can only mount!
You didn't move any mountains, true...
But you did everything you could!
You continued with what was begun
On a long ago cross of wood!
Your efforts are like the mustard seed
They insignificant here today
But they’re reaching out, affecting others
Lifetimes and worlds away!
Every ripple joins together
To eventually form a giant wave...
Turn now Rosie and behold
How many souls you've saved!"
Slowly then the woman turned
And saw a seemingly endless sea
Of people stretching far and wide!
"They're all here because of me?"
"Yes they are," he gently said
"So you have no cause to grieve!
You've lived a good and fruitful life
Be willing....to let your heart believe!"
Rose shook her head in wonder
"Now it all makes sense....it's clear!
I can wake and not fear Heaven!"
He laughed, "There's nothing frightening here!"
Rose stared at him, very shocked!
"You mean I've already died???"
He nodded, "Peacefully in your sleep
With me close by your side!"
"But what about Judgement?" questioned Rose
"Meeting Jesus? The Bible's Plan?"
He looked down then into her eyes...
Asking, "Who do you think I am?"
Struck with awe poor Rosie fell
To the ground on both her knees,
But Jesus slowly pulled her up
And gave her hand a gentle sqeeze
"Hold your head up proudly, Rose
Before the Father and the Son...
We've waited a lifetime to say these words
"Well done, My child, well done!!
Dusty Richardson c 2007
