Eternal Perspective

Poems‎ > ‎

# Title

14--From Other Worlds

13—Presence is not Essence

12—Growing Old

11—A Slice of Time

10—Tick-Tock

9—Look Around

8—Citizenship Check

7—More

6—Victory O’er Death

5—Ecclesiastes Empathy

4—O Happy Day!

3—“Why?”

2—Life and Death

1—Perspective

#14

From Other Worlds

What if there were other worlds and beings who could see—

we, who are but mortal stock, not blessed with invisibility?

What if they laughed at all our ways to get from here to there—

since they don’t need our cars or planes, but simply fly through the air?

What if they saw our weaknesses, short-sightedness, and fears

for what they are—just ignorance of what follows all our years?

Oh wait. Guess what? There are such ones who dwell in another world!

Silent observers of our journey—our faith and love, unfurled.

Oh, that we could see their work, gain insight from their gaze,

clearly see the hints or snares which lead us through life’s maze.

Angelic beings cannot force us to stay on the right trail. ^1.

Nor demons, force us to forsake it. Only by choices, we fail. ^2.

Some may help us, others hurt, enlighten, tempt, or show.

God, help us see what they can see—the consequences they know.

1. Hebrews 1:14

2. 1 Timothy 4:1

gratefulsue

1.18.14

# 13

Presence is not Essence

Are you and I eternal?

My heart says it is so—

Because, it longs for you!

That is the way I know.

How could it cry and break

for one who is not here?

Why would I not forget, one

whose presence disappeared?

Presence is not essence…

though it did indeed bring pleasure.

Outer wrappings are the package.

what’s inside is the real treasure!

The real you is still living—

your personality and love,

have gone to our Heavenly Father.

Your soul is what I speak of.

And just as He is real—although,

I cannot see His face,

I’ll see you both when He tells me,

“You have finished your race.”

gratefulsue

5/1/11

(To Peter, Love Mallory)

# 12

Growing Old

Hard to be 50—

Don’t you know?

Hard to grow old,

Hard to let go.

Youth’s freedoms

Shine, then fade.

Youth’s indiscretions…

The price I paid.

Goals applauded

In singlehood,

Are now abandoned—

For my own good.

Serving others:

My new pass-time…

A valid exchange, for

Passing my prime.

gratefulsue

10/12/10

# 11

A Slice of Time

A slice of time, front to back,

Is so small…an “afternoon snack,”

Compared to the banquet we will see,

When we enter eternity.

Although that slice is thin and quick,

It can be blessed, when your priorities stick.

Serve your Lord, and people, too.

Faith in God—will see you through.

Know His Word. Apply its truth.

Love one another, like Naomi and Ruth.

If you marry, love your mate.

Say, “I’m sorry.” Pray, and wait.

If you don’t, love anyway—

Or else, in bitterness, you will pay.

Close your eyes to others’ faults.

Humble yourself. Only Jesus, exalt.

Live like today is your last!

You won’t regret it, once time has passed…

gratefulsue

6/10/09

# 10

Tick-Tock

Tick-tock

Goes the clock.

Though I plead,

It will not stop.

All my dreams

And plans, it mocks.

Tick-tock.

gratefulsue

11/17/05

# 9

Look Around

It is not for me to bathe

In beauty, joy or song.

But, I may sip a drop or two

Of His goodness all the day long.

A young one’s hug, a cherished word,

Wild flowers in my hand,

The Master’s love communicates

To me—just as He planned.

gratefulsue

4/8/04

# 8

Citizenship Check

To all thy fallen heroes

(save thy Lord),

take up thy cross.

To all thy vain desires

for earth’s rewards,

take up thy cross.

To youth, health and beauty-

“fair-weather friends,”

take up thy cross.

To Cinderella’s story

and how it ends,

take up thy cross.

To wind and wave and fire

Whose tempest cost,

Take up thy cross.

To lovely things and times,

to dreams now lost,

take up thy cross.

For Him, my Lord and God,

all is but dross.

Take up thy cross.

gratefulsue

10/18/04

# 7

More than I can handle

is what God has given me.

That is…

More “blessings” than I asked for, through

more “dependence opportunities.”

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

gratefulsue

8/31/01

# 6

Victory O’er Death

Thank God for the gift of eternal life—

At times like this!

We know that we will once again

Hug that loved one we miss.

Praise God he was his child,

Redeemed by trusting in God’s Son—

To pay the debt of debt of sin he owed.

Victory o’er death has been won!

gratefulsue

2/2/98

# 5

Ecclesiastes Empathy

Injustice and fatigue,

Sickness, death and war;

Disappointment, folly,

These are mine and more.

“The more I know of life—

The more I know of grief.” ^1.

The less I understand—

The more I crave relief.

“A time for every purpose,” ^2.and

“To every time a season.” ^3.

Though I may seldom know it,

God always has a reason.

“When times are good, be happy.” ^4.

“Find satisfaction in my labor.” ^5.

The pain of life will lesson

When I seek to help my neighbor.

“Eternity in my heart,” ^6.but

Mortality in my feet.

The battle’s overwhelming—

Though, the outcome will be sweet.

At least I have this hope—

In the end my pain will cease.

But, to all who don’t know Jesus,

I must show the way of peace.

1. Ecclesiastes 1:18

2. Ecclesiastes 3:1a

3. Ecclesiastes 3:1b

4. Ecclesiastes 7:14

5. Ecclesiastes 5:18

6. Ecclesiastes 3:11

gratefulsue

9/14/97

# 4

O Happy Day!

O happy day—when redemption is nigh…

Permission to leave for our home in the sky.

Earth’s troubles retreat; God we meet!

Oh happy day—when we do move on…

Our pilgrimage finished, we’ll sing a new song: ^1.

“All glory to Jesus, who frees us!”

O happy day—our tears are no more. ^2.

We’ll no longer wonder what God has in store— ^3.

For those He knows, love flows! ^4.

Oh happy day—we see new friends and old.

We’ll ponder the mansions and walk streets of gold. ^5.

What a reunion! What communion!

Oh happy day—our loved ones left behind,

Will soon come to join us, in God’s perfect time— ^6.

If in Jesus they trust, it’s a must!

Will you please follow and pass through the gate? ^7.

The time fast approaches when it is too late. ^8.

But, if you know the way, O happy day! ^9.

1. Revelation 5:6-14

2. Revelation 21:4

3. 1 Corinthians 2:9

4. Colossians 3:12

5. John 14:2 NKJV, Revelation 21:21

6. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

7. John 10:9

8. Hebrews 9:27

9. John 14:5-6

gratefulsue

11/2/94

revised 10/17/05

# 3

“Why?”

If guardian angels had voices

Which we were permitted to hear,

And time to field our questions,

I would call to mine, “Come near!”

“My friend, can you tell me the answer;

Why has all this happened to me?

Were you sleeping? Did something go wrong?”

But, he’d say, “Just wait, you’ll see.”

“Just wait ‘til you can see the castles

and legions of angels above.

Just wait ‘til you see the majesty

And glory which Heaven’s made of!

Just wait ‘til you feel the embrace

Of your savior, your God and friend!

Just wait ‘til He bids you look with Him,

To see the beginning and end.

“At that time you will not need answers.

You will not have questions or tears,

Only praise and thanksgiving to Jesus, who

With great wisdom planned all your years.

“At that time you’ll know that this suffering—

which passed through His permissive hand—

was not cruel, or random ‘bad luck.’

Yes, at that time, you will understand.

“Though Satan is ‘prince of this world,’

though he brings sin, sickness and pain,

He can’t stop God’s plan for His children—

That your loss, will one day, be gain.

“Sometimes in this life God explains it,

Though at other times He does not.

Just trust Him, for He is trustworthy!

And, He’ll give His grace on the spot.

“No, I can’t tell you His answer.”

The angel would say to me.

He would simply smile and reply,

“Trust Him! Just wait, you’ll see."

gratefulsue

10/16/94

# 2

Life and Death

(a song)

I saw a man have a heart attack today.

It really wasn’t funny you know…

Ambulance sirens, relatives cryin’,

Crowds takin’ in the “show.”

And I thought that if Jesus were here today,

He could calm my heart.

He would have something to teach me now,

And this is how He’d start:

“Life is precious; hold it dear!

Thank God for each day!

I have given you eternal life,

Tell the world about my love…

I saw a man have a heart attack today.

It really wasn’t funny you know…

Ambulance sirens, relatives cryin’,

Crowds takin’ in the “show.”

Then, I thought that since Jesus is here today,

Living in my heart,

I can be used to give words of hope,

And this is how I’ll start:

“Life is precious; hold it dear!

Thank God for each day!

Jesus wants to give eternal life,

Do you know about His love?...”

gratefulsue

9/2/80

# 1

Perspective

You can be busy—

But don’t be in a hurry.

You can have lots to do—

But don’t complain or worry.

You can make plans for the future—

But do not live for them.

Make “loving people” everything—

This, our Lord will not condemn.

By all means, relax!

But, that doesn’t mean be lazy.

Cutting out your time with God

Lets me know your vision’s hazy.

In all you do; in who you are—

May Jesus fill your heart with song!

Through life’s temptations—yield the fruit

Of walking with Him your life long.

gratefulsue

8/5/83