That Order

I have seen deer and bear and turkey,

robins in the yard, barn swallows 

in the air, women I have loved,

words read or heard so order time

and place

                to make me question why

I would ever follow a law again.

And think or feel or understand that 

law is a charlatan of order.

That each of us know the order of things,

of who we are and that to be, thereof,

breaks all law and commandments.

Should and ought,

thou shall, thou shall not

turn into profanity.

                         I am dreaming.

The preference for law over order we call

history.

           I never forget that "dreams are more

real than reality"

and we've all known -- at least once -- that sense

of order where nothing else was needed. 

-Byron Hoot

THORNS

Was it some hidden desire, disease or sin? The Bible does not say,

But there was a "thorn in his flesh" that bothered Paul, so he'd pray.

God would not remove this, despite being all powerful and omniscient,

And, knowing a servant's weakness, said only, His grace was sufficient.

No one knows of the thorn in Paul's flesh, only why it was left neglected.

It was to show God's strength, which through a weakness was perfected.

Now, Paul had prayed three times about this thorn, he had dealt with it that long,

Though it was a weakness, he wasn't condemned for it, God's grace being strong,

Knowing God would not let this weakness separate them must've been a relief.

That God doesn't condemn a believer's weaknesses, if in such a grace is belief.

Maybe, just maybe, Christians should think twice before holding other's with scorn.

God's grace might be sufficient for them too, if a weakness to their flesh be a thorn.

So, before frightening another believer with any notions of hell's fires to burn,

Maybe we should remember that the merciful are blessed with mercy in return!

~

An Inspirational Sonnet Form

By PHILIP KENT CHURCH