Tag Archives: Poetry

Grammy’s Irises

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“Those who sow with tears
  will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them” (Psalm 126:5-6 NIV).

As I read these verses a few days ago, I thought of a little poem I wrote just before Christmas. For two and a half years I had lived in a downstairs space in the home of a couple and served as a caregiver for the 90-year-old gentleman who dealt with Alzheimer’s. Their home was located in a peaceful setting where the beauty of nature and wildlife were right outside the door. I took thousands of photos in the time I lived there. In August, the gentleman passed away. As I prepared to move in January, I worked on a book of photos I had taken of some of the beauty of the property along with words of inspiration and encouragement for his widow. Some of the photos were of the beautiful irises that I could see from my window in the spring. I was told that they had been planted years ago by “Grammy,” the mother of the lady of the house. When we first had that conversation, I commented, “Here we are today enjoying beauty because of what someone planted a long time ago.” Those words were the seed embedded in my mind for what I knew would one day be a poem. I finally wrote it as I prepared my photo gift book.

“Grammy’s Irises”

With gentle hands she placed each bulb
Beneath the stubborn sod;
She watered them and tended them,
But left their growth to God.
In early spring the tender shoots
Pushed through the porous soil–
The beauty of the blossoms fair
Were fit for any royal.

Long years have passed but yet they bloom
When winter turns to spring–
Their graceful beauty on display,
Enjoyment still to bring
To younger generations who
Are following Grammy’s lead–
She taught that for the blooms to come,
You first must plant the seed.

So, too, in lives we plant the seeds
And water them with tears,
And tend them on our knees in prayer
Prevailing through the years;
By faith we trust the seeds will bloom
In each young girl and boy,
For those who sow in tears will reap
And gather blooms with joy.

–Rebecca D. Higgins

Worthy Is the Lamb!

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by Rebecca D. Higgins

Not long ago while going through some old files from my Bible college days, I ran across a poem I wrote based on verses from the Book of Revelation. During this Passion Week as we focus on Christ’s death and resurrection, it’s fitting that we proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

Oh, come and gather ’round the throne,
You ransomed white-robed throng;
Come cast your crowns at Jesus’ feet
And sing redemption’s song.

Come, sing the song of Christ the Lamb
Who for our sins was slain,
Who bled and died on Calvary’s tree,
And yet who lives again.

He lives again–our glorious King–
And worthy is His name!
He is the First and yet the Last,
Forevermore the same.

So lift your hallelujahs high–
Forever let them ring–
For blessing, glory, pow’r, and strength
Belong unto the King.

Through washing in the Savior’s blood,
Your robes have been made white;
And now you stand before your Lord–
Your faith has turned to sight.

The battles now are over, and
The victor’s crown you’ve won;
Oh, praise your Savior, God, and King–
Redemption’s plan is done!

So praise the One upon the throne–
He is the great I AM–
Redemption’s song forever sing,
For worthy is the Lamb!

 

Dramatic Lighting on Christian Easter Cross As Storm Clouds Break

A Perfect Fit

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by Rebecca D. Higgins

The other day I ran across an old photo of my niece when she was little trying on a pair of my dad’s shoes. It made me think of a poem I wrote a long time ago back in the fall of 1985 when I was a student in college.

 

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A cobbler sat upon his bench,
And with the greatest care,
He fashioned shoes in all designs
His customers would wear.

Each day he labored at his craft
And worked with tireless zeal
To make each shoe a perfect fit
From tip of toe to heel.

One day a youth burst through the door
And jangled loud the bell;
He gazed about the cobbler’s shop
Then gave a hearty yell.

“Good sir,” he cried, “I want some shoes–
The largest in the land;
I want to be a leader strong
And many men command.

“I want to leave a mark in life–
A footprint all can see;
And then I’ll have a name renowned
And great prosperity.”

So saying, he tried on some shoes–
The biggest that were mates–
Those size fourteens engulfed his feet
That measured only eights!

“But, son, . . .” the cobbler interposed. . . .
But would he listen? –No!
He bought the shoes and put them on,
And then he turned to go.

And shuffling, though he tried to strut,
He left the cobbler’s place;
But e’er he went a block, he tripped–
Fell flat upon his face!

The cobbler’s bell rang once again–
A girl slipped through the door;
She tiptoed to the cobbler’s side
And watched him do his chore.

At last he saw her standing there
And in a gentle voice
Asked, “What, my dear, will be the shoes
That you will make your choice?”

“Oh, sir,” she whispered as she blushed
And painted red each cheek,
“I’m insignificant and shy
And really, oh, so weak.

“I want a tiny pair of shoes
As small as small can be–
For I would die if anyone
Should ever notice me.”

She searched until she found the pair
That suited what she’d said;
She squeezed and tugged and panted–
The cobbler shook his head.

At last the shoes were on–
She paid the cobbler’s fee;
The last I heard, she had gone lame
And lived in agony.

But finally to the cobbler’s shop
An old man made his way;
The shoes upon his tired feet
Had seen a better day.

He smiled as the cobbler’s bell
Jingled a merry note;
He paused before a wooden peg
To hang his hat and coat.

Then to the cobbler this he said,
“I’ve come today, good friend,
Because my poor old shoes have passed
Beyond all hopes to mend.

“Just make a pair for my two feet–
The style you may choose;
Just so they fit is all I ask
Of my much-needed shoes.”

The cobbler set to work at once–
In thought his brows were knit;
He measured, cut, and stitched and nailed–
He made a perfect fit.

The old man left and did his tasks,
And everyone could tell
He filled his shoes. –Within, he knew
The cobbler’d made them well.

O Cobbler mine, Your skill is great–
You’re gracious and You’re wise;
You are the One who made my feet–
You know their shape and size.

So make my shoes a perfect fit
According to Your plan,
And may I wear them faithfully
To serve my fellowman.

And may I never e’er forget
The lesson I’ve been shown,
That if I wear another’s shoes,
Then who will wear my own?