THE RIDE

As I ride my stallion, to the mountain top -

reaching for the sky...

I find myself, lost in thought -

wondering how and why.

How did He do it, and why does He care?

And I ask Him that, when I get up there -

I dismount my horse - and I stop and stare...

For the beauty that surrounds me,

simply, just, astounds me -

all the sounds, around me -

every where.

I feel Him, deep within me...

Stirring something in me -

something, of which,

I am not yet aware.

I hear His Words, in the song of the birds;

and they fill the mountain air...

And the afternoon breeze, as it blows through the trees,

is warning me - to beware.

He summons me, to notice, the spider and bug...

And then, He gently gives me, a warm, internal hug.

The spider, He says, is cunning and sly -

forever plotting, to trap the fly.

And many people, lay traps too -

hoping they will soon catch you.

So as you ride, on life’s rough trail,

be sure to watch your gait...

For there are those, with tooth and nail -

who skillfully, lie, in wait.

And along the way, you will find,

those who like to be unkind...

Who laugh and tease,

those on their knees -

while they,

can’t make up their own mind.

Then God tells me,

He won’t leave me -

when all the others don’t believe me -

and assures me, He will teach me,

right, from wrong.

He promises to guide me -

and to always stay beside me -

as the cricket’s hum their slow, melodic song.

And as I descend the mountain,

passing by a fountain -

I feel blessed to be alive...

upon the earth.

And I thank God, for all His gifts to me -

and tell Him to do as He wishes, with me -

for I was His servant, already...

at my birth.

I like to think, He understands...

What He always meant to me -

but I wanted to do, what I wanted to do -

and to be, what I wanted to be.

And so, in my youth, I strayed a bit,

from that straight and narrow path...

But I like to think, He understood -

and maybe, even laughed.

And through the years,

as I grew older...

His hold on me - well, it grew bolder.

And though I resisted, to some extent,

I never fought too hard -

because, after all, it is God’s game;

and He holds the ultimate card.

And as I remember, those wonderful days...

My life has changed, in so many ways -

before, I was strong,

and now, I am weak...

It didn’t take long,

to turn me humble and meek.

I can no longer get upon my horse -

for gravity is a mighty force.

With broken leg, I sit and write -

to tell this tale to you...

Somewhat prepared, but still, not quite -

for what it is, I must do.

My ride, is not yet over...

Onward, I go, still -

on an endless search,

for the perfect church -

climbing, up life’s hill.

The Mormon Church, disappointed me...

The Universal Life Church has anointed me.

But I feel, that God ordained me, long ago.

The Church just never knew me -

they said, God wouldn’t, talk to me...

But how in the world, does anybody know?

I know God, as well as any man -

as well, as any human can.

He walks with me,

and I with Him...

(when I can keep that pace).

And I will always be...

whether beside, or behind,

On His team - while I’m riding life’s race.

So, though I may not belong,

to a church -

right or wrong...

I long, to belong to Him.

And whenever I ask,

“Lord, show me my task...”

He answers, with vigor and vim.

And He tells me to write,

both day and night -

He tells me write... about Him.

And now that I know, the bulk of His plan -

I will watch where I go, and do what I can...

And though I am scared, of crowds, just a bit -

I’m not scared of any man.

For God is with me - this is it -

I can do it...

I know that I can.

Then He fills me with words,

about life and death...

He sharpens my senses,

and halts my breath -

but only, for a moment or two.

And with my hands shaking,

at the task I am facing,

He tells me, again...

what to do.

He says to reach out, to those who are lost;

Who would sell their soul, at any cost -

to the young and confused...

and the scared - and the tossed.

To tell them, they control their own life’s ride -

we can live with humility, or live with pride.

Our body is ours -

to do with, as we please;

as we traverse this physical plain.

With doors to open,

 and doors to close;

there’s so much to lose...

yet, so much to gain.

So walk through any door you want...

Some will help you - others, will taunt.

And if you get stuck,

or lose your way -

all you have to do...

Is stop for a minute; take time to pray -

and God will rescue you.

Yes, I like to remember,

those rides in September...

As the leaves crunched beneath my steed.

And when I recall,

those days in the Fall...

I thank God, for planting that seed.

Enjoy the ride.

***