A Wise Woman Once Said...

I've found the same book of poems covered with dust as I've packed up boxes for each of our last few moves. I keep thinking I don't need to keep a "coffee table book" of poetry around, but every time I start picking through the stacks and shelves, I end up sitting in a corner soaking up the wisdom of its pages. It's never made it to the "toss" pile. Maybe it never will.

Today I sat and pondered these wise and thoughtful words--words for a son (or daughter) yet words for us all. Here is a poem by Ruth Bell Graham:

"Die, son:

but do not sin.

It is too high a price

for living--

if "life" it can be called

to wallow

(briefly even)

in that which God forbids.

Satan has desired you:

shrewd,

he will not use

revolting sins

to lure,

but "lovely" ones,

"respectable,"

"desirable,"

and "pure"

(or so they seem);

far better you should die

honorably,

and clean

than craven-hearted,

nearsighted,

weak of will

and mean,

your birthright you should sell

for a mere mess of pottage

squander your inheritance

in wild living,

then fain

fill your belly with

the husks of swine.

Would you trade

fellowship with Him

for tarnished coin

and raveled end of rope?

God's hand is on you, son;

far better then

the furnace, seven-times heated,

the denned and starving lions,

the stones that honored Stephen,

or a cross...

The choice is yours:

God grant you

eyes to see

and ears to hear,

a loyal heart

and will of steel,

forged to His will,

sound in His fear.

So...

die;

but do not sin;

such death

is not life's end--

but its beginning."

-from Sitting By My Laughing Fire