“Don” (Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 40:5-8; Proverbs 27:10a)
So thirty-one’s the years since Don
And I met – for he was the one
Who checked us out there at the joint,
When institutions did anoint –Us to the task of chaplaincy
To inmates there – now I can see
How poor a job I’d do inside,
If in that job I would abide.For Louis said, “It’s safety valve
Which we provide – we cannot solve
The underlying mess outright,
But when we’re there, it’s calm, though tight”.But me? God blows explosive charge
In situations tight and hard,
To set folks free in Jubilee,
Once info’s gained by likes of me.That’s needed too, but not in there –
I’d blow the roof off showing care;
Their honcho saw that right away,
And sent me packing, chatting day.But as a fill-in (dad got sick),
Don had no problem, nodded quick,
’Till other fellow came back from
His holidays – but it was fun.That’s where my work at AFM
Came into play – work done for him;
When end of road emerged for dad,
I stayed at work – one decade had.But Don was special in that walk –
Two times or three we’d stop and talk;
But dad spoke highly of this man,
And work he did within “the can”.Lord, now Don’s gone – Alzheimer’s route –
With kith and kin each in pursuit
Of dreams and goals, affected each
By Don – life’s lessons deeply reached.For me, his best gift was at end –
“Just plant a flower – your feelings send
That way” – and so I do this spring –
But for friend Bob, I also sing –That way as well, as flowers fade;
But while they bloom, a way is made
To make our world a better place –
In Don and Bob, I see Your face.Thanks Lord for this.
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