His Door

He took the time to reprimand
Me so I’d come to understand
That some have tasks which they can do –
“ ’Round here the center is not you”.

He did not use those pointed words,
But that’s the message which I heard –
“I cannot preach, up there hold sway,
But folders I can fold today”.

But ’neath such words was his right hand,
By which he helped me understand,
“I’ve got few fingers, but I fold
These folders – shifting thus my load.

“You see,” he said non-verbally,
“I greet each person, missing three,
With hand, right-hand of fellowship,
This challenge make because of it –

“For as with folders which I fold,
I use what’s left, with stance that’s bold;
So how ’bout you – what’s your excuse
For thinking you’re of little use?”

He came, he said, each Sunday morn,
And stood his ground where patch was worn
On carpet – long he’d done his task
Of folding, greeting – stood relaxed –

As greeter of Christ’s Kingdom-flock,
As we into God’s presence walked;
That smile of his; his preps for death
Made at the end – when he knew breath –

Would soon or someday all be gone,
As he, like bro, would move along –
“ Read up on it, and did the tasks
Which must be done, though no-one asked.”

So Gary, I’d not heard of this –
Your passing on from in our midst –
No chance to say a fond farewell,
But maybe you, from words can tell –

Your impact on my life, though short,
Has stuck with me, and strong retort
To me when I stepped in to fold
That day – I heard what I was told –

That quiet folks work ’round the place;
Now others come to share your grace –
They fold, and greet, as you have done –
My lesson’s learned – now I’ve begun –

To live it out your quiet way;
Stepped up to do my part today;
“Make folks feel welcome” – still you lead
Us in the work, to meet that need.

Lord, Gary has so graced us here,
With folders folded, message clear –
“You’re welcome son, or daughter, friend;
I hope through me you’ll comprehend –

“That life is lived, full hand or part;
What matters most is that you start
With what God’s raised as task for you
Within His house – some thing to do.”

So, Lord, please open up the door
To life ahead, with so much more
No doubt, than we on Kingdom-layer
Partake of here, in House of Prayer –

Help Gary feel there quite at home,
Like he when we through his door roamed;
My one request – may this farewell
Speak of his lesson I’ve learned well.

Thanks Gary, and God Bless.

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