On This Day Of My Birth

On this the day of my birth
I’d like to thank you, Lord, for conjuring up
the idea of me in the first place.
Pretty creative, I’ll give you that.
You could’ve rubbed two sticks together or
breathed into a fistful of dust but
you went and decided instead
to cause two people to experience the beautiful fall
and lose themselves in each other one night
all swept up in your wonky God-love math:
one plus one equals three.
Thank you for those two dear people, Lord,
the tallest trees in my forest.
I also thank you for those that love me (wife, kids, beagle),
like me, tolerate me, even have me under consideration.
And for those that don’t see what all the fuss is about, forgive them,
Father, for they don’t know what they’re missing, huh?
We’ve been together forty-nine years now, you and me.
I must say your patience is impressive, stellar really.
Thank you for my life, Lord, every damn stitch,
the whole show, hee-haw Sam Wainwright and all that.
It does appear that your non-anxiety-ridden birds have eaten
some of the crumbs, so I can’t see the way up ahead.
It’s hidden, and my astigmatism’s getting goofy.
So I’m counting on you, Lord, not so much to
lead the way as to stay close. Of course if you want to lead,
lead. I do trust you. Aw, you’re right, there’s still a
learning curve on that one. But I’m trying.
Amen.
 
 
 
 
 

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9 Comments

  1. mike graves on March 22, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    Happy Birthday, john, son of David and Anna

  2. Michele Morin on March 22, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    Happy birthday and happy learning curve.

  3. Sheila on March 22, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    I have been glorying in your posts for many years, and I, too, thank God for “conjuring” you!! Have a bodacious, blessed, bountiful, bedazzling birthday, Beautiful John!

  4. pastordt on March 22, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Blessed natal day, John. The world is surely blessed by the gift of you.

  5. Jacky on March 22, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Birthday greetings to you,
    John. You said it good and clear. “One plus one equals three.” I love that kind of math. Thank you.

  6. The Keeper of me on March 22, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    You inspire me with your words and your character. Happy Birthday John, it’s been a pleasure.

  7. thereforeencourage on March 22, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    This gal gives a thumbs up to our God for the kindness and goodness and wrestleness of you! Happy birthday, John!

  8. Joy Lenton on March 22, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    Beautiful poem mixing humour and history, tenderness and theology. Happy birthday John! You share a day with my youngest son. Have a good one. 🙂

  9. jodyo70 on March 25, 2016 at 1:03 am

    I liked your lines about Jesus maybe not leading the way so much as staying close by. I’m a decade ahead of you, sir, and will voice the cliche–life just gets better. Happy Birth month.

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