Family

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Grace and Glory

We thought there should be a photo at least,
So we pleaded...with broken hearts, too,
Just one shot of the twins with Mother,
Who was worn from the labor, we knew.

It was dismal and dull and the times were hard ~
Not enough work to go around,
These were the last, the hardest of all ~
Now, one must go in the ground.

Mama was old for a baby at all
Let alone identical twins.
“No wonder we lost him, no wonder!” we said;
Her face was pale and grim.

So we laid little babies, one on each side ~
And we dreamed of what might have been.
We all cried a little, but her tears came down
Like a rushing, o’erflowing stream!

There were things to do ~ (a few brought food),
Then the church people came, and said,
They were sorry ~ no services in the church ~
For the tithe had not been paid.

For the rest of my life, I’ve carried the look
In my mind, on mama’s face!
Sometimes these “religious” ones make it hard
To understand “Loving Grace”

It‘s straightened out now, and I do not hold
Any grudge against any man;
But I’ve studied the likes of Jesus and find
He’s certainly not like that band!

Jesus would comfort, and maybe weep too,
Jesus would dry her tears ~
He might even give her a glimpse of Heaven
Simply to soothe her cares.

Mama had given so much of herself ~
Always a smile and a cheer;
Mama was more like the Savior that day
Than any revealed all these years.

Now they’ve all gone to Heaven ~And I’m growing old ~
I’ll join them before very long,
By the Grace of God only, I’ll find them all there
Singing a heavenly song.

As long as I have, I’ll study His Word
So I can be more like Him
For God in His Heaven, knows very well
I never want to be like them!

©© 2003 by Joan Clifton Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

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