(A Poem for Grandpa Peter)

What does it mean to do nothing?
Does it mean doing nothing at all?
Not standing or sitting, starting or quitting
I think as I stare at the wall.

There's certainly a lot less running,
As nothing leaves little to do.
Chores are a bore, and now they're no more.
Has anyone seen my left shoe...?

The thought of these questions provoke me.
Well, they capture my curious mind.
When I wake at six in the morning,
And I'm greeted with plenty of time.

I see all the Lord has given me,
And have so much I'm grateful for.
So maybe "nothing" isn't a bad thing
It's just the absence of my life before.

It's not waking up in the morning,
And choosing what I want to choose.
The schedule I used to have
Is not on my list of to-do's.

Not so long ago
The Lord impressed upon my heart,
The call to ministry -
To faithfully do my part.

He called me to shepherd souls.
He blessed me through much strife.
He gave me His Word to teach.
He gave me my precious wife.

I gave God my time and effort.
He gave me church after church.
What a humbling way to spend
My life while on this earth.

I've been witness to the miracle
Of the Gospel alive and at work.
I've seen His redemptive power.
Where His joy can replace hurt.

Where families once broken were healed.
Where hardened hearts have come undone.
Where peace is found in dismay,
Like when a father buries his son.

My goodness, our God is faithful.
That's why I praise the Lord everyday!
For the blessings He's given and giving:
An unconditional display.

And the more that I ponder, I realize
That the Lord gives and He takes.
My ministry was Christ's.
My schedule wasn't mine to make.

No, the Lord established my steps,
And He has directed my paths.
So whether I'm standing or sitting --
I'm content with His purpose for that.

Illness wasn't a curveball;
I've prayed, and God is kind.
Yes, I've given Jesus my life,
And now He's given me this time.

The time to know what's coming.
The time to say goodbyes.
To see the work He's done through me
As people share about their lives.

I'm outnumbered by friends and family.
I've had more calls than I can count.
I've seen my kids, grandkids, and their little ones.
I'm richly blessed on that account.

Perhaps I wouldn't've had time to pause -
To reflect on God's work in my heart.
If I were busy moving my feet,
Writing my book, still working hard.

I'm assured of my salvation,
Though it's hard to believe that day's come.
The Lord knew I'd want this time,
And now it's time to be with His Son.

Having nothing, yet possessing everything -
I believe Paul said it best.
I guess "nothing" is quite indescribable.
So too - the joy of knowing God's rest.

October 29, 2024

References:
Psalm 136:26--> "Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever."
Proverbs 16:9--> "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Proverbs 3:5-6--> "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
John 5:24--> "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
2 Corinthians 6:4-10--> "...but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything."