“First Day” (Romans 12:1-8)

First day it is for students going on
To one more term or year – where they belong
(Or not) – it is a choice each one holds firm,
To take (or not) some way to help them learn.

For me I like the auto-didact route,
But have a giver side – and that’s about
Big picture’s gift of vision – “Where’s the rocks
I can avoid by hearing teacher-talk”.

For teachers work their field from A to Zee;
Lay out the whole, which is what givers need;
The two work well – a blend that feeds each one –
Blessed in the giving; Lerner’s vision’s won.

“Encourager” in me has autodidact side –
A blended mix takes on crash-dummy’s ride;
I find out stuff that others cannot know
By reading, seeing, pushing through the snow –

Or holding tight to friends with feeling base,
Or structured work of knowledge-edifice;
My way’s not better, just works well for me;
It’s how I’m wired, and how I’m meant to be.

For I’m a part of all humanity –
Unique like body-parts that make up “me” –
An eye, or ear, or hand, or mobile feet –
Each with its role, fills than what others seek.

But social-scene is crazy in this way –
“I’m self-made man (or woman)”, we folks say;
That’s stupid, just as “We are all the same”;
“Just be like me – it works”; “You are to blame”.

Yeah, right, I guess, – well, no, that foolish is!
I’ve got no heart; no aptitude for biz;
I’m in a fog without perceiver’s views;
Hand-work is slow; I need bold research new.

So I contribute to community,
Or “body-life”, for social scene I see;
The Kingdom-layer (or pinwheel’s central post)
Allows me access, not allowed buy most.

What freedom’s there – Lord, thanks for sharing that
Down through the years – like satisfaction’s cat;
I longed to know why life won’t work as well
For solo-types in Western social hell.

“First weak we get; then sick; and then we die”,
Paul noted in a letter – but we fly
Through walls, or rather “over” obstacles,
As we respond to Kingdom-layer pulls.

So winsome that – and inter-active life,
With fellow man and woman – each unlike
Those others near – conformity be damned!
Each body-part uniquely lends a hand.

Lord, “Where to now?” I ask – mist closes in;
I see, yet not, as “first day” now begins;
“That’s simple, Stu, the body has a head –
That’s Me, so play your part lest all be dead.”

Thanks Lord for that, I’ll press on while the day
Is day, then let it go – I’ve had my say,
Or will by when this final chapter’s done;
Keep me in You, until this battle’s won.

Thanks Lord for this.

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