|
|
|
2002 Sowing Seeds Writing Contest Winner: Poetry "Wake Up & Pray" by Debbie Toker from Brampton, Ontario I set the alarm to wake early to pray, Then I’d be sure to have a great day. I’d read my Bible, spend an hour or so. Then I’d feel refreshed and ready to go. I laid on my pillow was out like a log. I didn’t hear the barking dog, I didn’t hear the sirens’ wail, Or the sound of the storm with the wind and hail, I heard not a sound when the earthquake shook, I didn’t move, I didn’t look.
I wasn’t aware of the telephone ringing, Or my next door neighbor's horrible singing Was it any wonder at early dawn, Despite having turned my alarm clock on, When six o’clock brought a brand new day, I remained in my bed still snoring away.
Around about seven I finally arose, As if from the dead I sprang to my toes. Wiping sleep from my eyes I suddenly knew, My time for prayer I’d slept right through!
There was no time now, I had to run, So many things I must get done. Perhaps on the drive into work I could pray, But somehow it didn’t turn out that way My mind was cluttered, in disarray My thoughts were on what lay ahead for the day Some guy cut me off.....”You jerk,”, I mumbled, The rest of my journey , I muttered and grumbled
Why did it seem so hard to pray? It’s really the best way to start the day! Later I’d find time to spend with my King, But there always seemed to be some other thing A few minutes here, a few moments there, The day had gone and I didn’t know where.
I set the alarm to wake early to pray, Then I’d be sure to have a great day. I’d read my Bible, spend an hour or so. Then I’d feel refreshed and ready to go
I laid on my pillow, was out like a log, I didn’t hear the barking dog, But as I slept, I thought I’d heard My Savior's voice, a gentle word In patient love He seemed to say “I wish I’d heard from you today”
I awoke repenting, I wept, I cried, For me my Lord had bled and died Was it too much out of my day To take one hour just to pray?
That night I saw to my surprise I really wasn’t very wise, I longed to hear my Jesus’ speak In times of trouble, when I was weak, For guidance, comfort, a way to go, I came to Him to learn and grow It touched my heart to finally see, He longs to hear as much from me Not for what I do or know, Just because He loves me so! (“Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping... ....”are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?”) Mark 14:37 If you would like to send a note of encouragement to Debbie Toker you can reach her at: debato@hotmail.com Honorable Mention "Does God Love Me When I Do Bad Things?" and "Specks and Planks" by Lorraine Allen of Elsmere, Kentucky "The Angel" and "To Fly Like the Dove" by Deborah Lee-Spollen of East Windsor, New Jersey "Faith" and "But That's Okay" by Julie M. Beasley, Mechanicsville, Virginia "Just for Today" and "Something to Share" by Keith Hartman "Celebrate Today" and "Be Encouraged" by Stephanie R. Cameron of Leetsdale, Pennsylvania "For Such a Time as This" and "With Love from Dad" by Linda Stevenson of Snellville, Georgia "Salvation" by Bruce Barron of Lubbock, Texas For information on our 2003 Writing Contest, please click here. |