A Lament and A Request

 

 

 

If I knew then what I know now

I would not have done what I did then,

Hindsight is twenty-twenty vision

Hence, now I see the problem.

 

I had it all, well quite a lot

But I thought there was more to be had,

So I hatched a scheme and planned it well

But the whole thing turned out bad.

 

I underestimated the one at the top

I did not know what I was thinking

For all along he was aware of my scheme

And next the entire thing was sinking.

 

It was no use weeping over spilt milk

I just waited for another opportunity,

And came it did in another place

And I grabbed that chance with glee.

 

It was like taking cake from a child

And indeed they were more like children,

I pull that one off with great success

This time I created the problem.

 

I got revenge but was still dissatisfied

Even though I had created a mess,

So I waited patiently for another chance

And that one was the test of tests.

But again I failed and miserably so

Even though I had held some odds,

I had to be a slow learner, I now can see

That I took on a failure’s job.

 

Many a man thinks I am smart

And throw in their lot with me,

But they are wasting their time just like I did

And will share in my destiny.

 

I won’t go empty handed and that’s a fact

I did not in my first attempt,

And now my goal is to add to my lot

To those that with me are hell bent.

 

Defeated by the Father and then the Son

And now by the Holy Spirit,

Running out of time and rapidly so

With failure as my growing habit.

 

I will end my lament with this request

As I beg you to join those without hope,

Please, as my emissaries come to your door

I am asking that you give me your vote.

 

Perhaps by now you think I’m a fool

And I am inclined to agree with you

But if all like now you haven’t tuned to God

Then you must be a fool too.

 

Stewart Russell © September 2019

 

This Prayer Is for You

 

 

Something has gone awry

And you are feeling extremely blue,

My brother my sister:

This prayer is for you.

 

You operated in the light

Of what you thought you knew,

Do you not despair

This prayer is for you.

 

No kind of apology is working

They say you are through,

Turn to God, my friend…

This prayer is for you.

You anticipated something

It was clearly in your view,

Suddenly it disappeared…

This prayer is for you.

 

You lost a loved one

There was nothing you could do,

Now you are distraught…

This prayer is for you.

 

Destabilized by COVID-19

Yet to receive your dues,

Do not be dismayed…

This prayer is for you.

Hard-ears disobedient children

Really getting to you,

Parent and teacher:

This prayer is for you.

 

The ship of state in a bad state

And concerned about revenue,

Prime Minister or President:

This prayer is for you.

 

COVID forcing adjustments

And you wish it were through,

Pastor and church leaders:

This prayer is for you.

 

Problems continually mounting

And solutions appear few,

Whoever you are,

This prayer is for you.

You are from a good home

But in with the wrong crew,

Dear misguided one

This prayer is for you.

 

You have done your best

Yet there is so much more to do,

Do not stop trying,

This prayer is for you.

 

For all the not mentioned

But have some challenge in life too,

Do not feel left out

This prayer is for you.

 

Our Gracious Heavenly Father

This day I call out to you on behalf of the above,

Teach them to know your voice

And to sense your love.

 

To understand that you care

And reach out to all be it far or near,

Grant them relief from all that they fear

And convince them, Father, that you are right there.

 

Wherever they are

At home or abroad,

Assure them, Heavenly Father

That on you they can call.

 

Bless them and keep them

In and during their trial

And extricate them from the guilt

Of any previous denial.

 

Any denial of your sufficiency

Right now, or in the past,

Or any feeling they harboured

That you were not quite up to the task.

 

I was urged to pray in this manner

And now that I am through.

I assure you once again

This prayer is for you.

 

Stewart Russell © September 18, 2020