The Preacher and the boy.......

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-09-01 06:51 PM

The preacher watched the little boy as he walked through the church,
Looked under all the rows of pews as though he were in search
Of something he had dropped, perhaps, now lying on the floor...
But then he checked the altar and he looked behind the door.

The boy then checked the bathrooms and he searched the nursery
And, as he watched, the preacher smiled with curiosity
Till finally he approached the lad and said, "Excuse me, son.
Did you lose something here or are you just out having fun?"

"My momma said that God lives here", the boy said with a frown.
"But I've been looking everywhere. He must not be around."
The preacher smiled at that small child and said, "No, that's not true
Our God is here, you precious lad. He's there inside of you."

"Inside of me!?", the boy exclaimed. "Well, would you not get mad
If I just take him home with me to meet my mom and dad?"
"Not mad at all", the preacher said. "There really is no call.
You see, my son, the fact is that our God is in us all."

"No way!", the boy cried. "Don't tell me he's in that bully Spike
Who punches me in school all day and stole my brother's bike!
Or what about the counselors who scream at me in school
Or grandma when she comes around and treats me mean and cruel?"

"Them, too", the preacher said, "and you can take it for a fact
That God's in everyone you see, no matter how they act.
It may be hard believing when you see the things some do
But, though the devil's present, know that God is in there, too."

"Then I guess I should love all men", the little boy replied.
"Ain't right to hate nobody, knowin' they've got God inside.
I'll try to live my life the best I can to show I care
For everyone, no matter what, 'cause I know God's in there."

The boy then turned away and, in the middle of his walk,
He called back to the preacher,"Hey! I'm glad we had this talk!"
"I'm glad we had it, too." he whispered to the little child
And, somewhere high above them both, the Lord looked down and smiled.

doreen peri
Member Elite

since 1999-05-25

Posts 3812
Virginia

1 posted 1999-09-01 07:07 PM

My dear Ballad-man...... i tried to respond to this in Closed Poetry without success....

This, I think, is destined to become my very favorite of everything I've read authored by you! This is a truly wonderful poem. Thank you for writing it.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

2 posted 1999-09-01 07:17 PM

Thank you, Doreen. That means very much to me, coming from you.

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-22

Posts 9245
Illinois

3 posted 1999-09-01 07:22 PM

Ballader you do the Master proud! I tried to respond to this last night, I guess it didn't work. Well done! I love that part, that we should not hate anyone cause God is in us all! I just loved this!!!

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius

since 1999-07-05

Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

4 posted 1999-09-01 08:41 PM

Balladeer.....I love this view from a childs eyes. God, what an amazing concept to to explain to the young when even we at this age only partially understand.

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

5 posted 1999-09-01 08:42 PM

You have always had the ability to make be laugh and to make me cry with every poem you write...this one made me do both at the same time. Wonderful!

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

6 posted 1999-09-01 08:47 PM

Another great one Balladeer! Wouldn't it be a quite different world if we all saw God in each other! Imagine! Would it actually be a pleasure driving to work?!

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

7 posted 1999-09-01 09:00 PM

Thanks, friends.

Denise, it will never be a pleasure driving to work! They go like the devil!!!

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

8 posted 1999-09-01 10:50 PM

AWESOME....!!!

Lucie
Senior Member

since 1999-06-20

Posts 1077
Houston

9 posted 1999-09-02 12:17 PM

I think I saw this somewhere before...hmmm... could it be.. YES! In Open #1 and I still love it.

My favorite Balladeer poem of Open #2 so far!! hehe

PhaerieChild
Senior Member

since 1999-08-30

Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon

10 posted 1999-09-02 12:22 PM

Balladeer...this is so poignant!!! I love it!!!
You are a talent to reckon with.

------------------
Words lay dormant in the recesses of the mind til called forth to a labor of love. By WildChild

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

11 posted 1999-09-02 12:39 PM

Thanks, Nan and Lucie.

No, WildChild, I'm a wreck to talent with!

[This message has been edited by Balladeer (edited 09-02-99).]

Dark Angel
Member Patricius

since 1999-08-04

Posts 10095

12 posted 1999-09-02 01:57 AM

This is such a beautiful poem.I also loved the part where it says, we should not hate anyone cause god is in us all. Beautifully written Balladeer

Andrew Scott
Member Elite

since 1999-06-24

Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA

13 posted 1999-09-02 11:50 AM

Sir Balladeer: Another fine offering from the greatness that is your collective work. Once again I bow to you and yours and thank you for a most enjoyable read.

Talia
Junior Member

since 1999-07-06

Posts 25
Colorado Springs, CO, USA

14 posted 1999-09-03 11:56 AM

My dear Balladeer, I've wandered through verse of so many other, but I always come back to you to see what you've brought to share. I love my God, and I'm sure he smiled down on you for your wonderful work. You've given me a smile today that I'm sure will last forever. Thank you.

Nicole
Senior Member

since 1999-06-23

Posts 1835
Florida

15 posted 1999-09-03 12:23 PM

Wonderful words, wonderfully written, wonderful message...

btw...did I mention your piece is wonderful??

Mark R.
Member

since 1999-06-25

Posts 113
San Francisco, CA.

16 posted 1999-09-03 01:28 PM

Dear Balladeer, your talent is unsurpassed. You have outdone yourself once again. Your writing inspires me so much, I only wish I could write with such skill. Kudos to you, and thanks again for your sharing of such a masterpiece....

Toerag
Member Ascendant

since 1999-07-29

Posts 5622
Ala bam a

17 posted 1999-09-03 01:32 PM

He is pretty amazing isn't he?....

Craig
Member

since 1999-06-10

Posts 444

18 posted 1999-09-03 02:15 PM

Yep....

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

19 posted 1999-09-03 06:11 PM

There is no one here I will ever forget. Never.

Wolfgang
Member

since 1999-05-24

Posts 124
Hamilton, Ont. Canada

20 posted 1999-09-03 07:27 PM

excellent, excellent piece.

Justbleu
Member Elite

since 1999-08-31

Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)

21 posted 1999-09-03 07:31 PM

I loved reading your poem, it painted a cute picture in my mind!!! Thank You!!!

I'm new around here and am quite enjoying all the poetry!!

redwriter1
Member

since 1999-07-22

Posts 480
Franklin, TN

22 posted 1999-09-03 10:15 PM

OK.. where do i buy the book.?

The "answer" book....

well done and well thought out..

------------------
Kay-lynn
**A dream is a wish your heart makes :)

U K Hero
Member

since 1999-08-08

Posts 266
England

23 posted 1999-09-06 01:08 PM

lovely ending.....:-)

Artur Hawkwing
Member

since 1999-06-30

Posts 444
USA

24 posted 1999-09-24 04:01 AM

I missed this, but once again, wonderful one. Reminds me of the Golden Rule.

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.