i'm with my wife

drifting

through an endless yardsale

she's searching for clothes

i have no desire

in helping her 

with a selfish need 

to fill a closet

across the street

in a tattered yard

smiling beneath a parasol

is a delicate lady

with sultry eyes

in front of her 

a table full of books

my curiosity piques

she smiles 

when i start to look

her books are hymnals

from years past

there's one from my youth

it's a hundred years old

"how much?"

"a quarter"

"here's a five"

her delicate smile

fills my heart

______________

at home in my office

i study the ragged cover

childhood memories

fill my mind 

when i open the hymnal

i see

a tiny white church

with no steeple

 it sits beside

on an old gravel road

surrounded by farm trucks

and a wagon or two

the summer heat

bakes us all

but the voices in song
 

the sound of hymns

drifts through 

the open doors and windows

those songs of love

amazing grace

it is well, with my soul

nothing but the blood

i'd rather have Jesus

blessed assurance

at the cross

how great Thou art

i'm finding my favorites

while skimming the book

remembering the words

of these songs

flowing from my heart

papa smiling at my faith

holding mama's hand

when the Preacher prayed

and my love for God

was growing every day

______________________

where are these things in my life

today

i kneel then lift hands

to heaven

"thank you, Father, i've found You, again"