Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace



Two heavy doors separate me from the congregation.
I wait and contemplate the reason of my consternation.
I felt something inside me say, "This is a place for holy men."
A couple; a towering old man greeting them with a grin.

His bushy gray eyebrows wrinkle up at me with indignation.
I try and smile and strongly consider taking my resignation.
He frowns at me with disapproval as if he can see my every sin.
Cheeks full of red; legs full of jelly deliver me into the lion's den.

Heads turned as I entered and all the faces looked uptight.
I quickly stumble to a wooden pew consuming all my might.
Conscience was screaming now and I prayed it be discreet.
The preacher was on a roll and he didn't stutter or miss a beat.

Once seated I exhaled and felt my troubled body begin to relax.
A golden plate passes around to take up the "salvation tax."
He waves his arms yelling and stomping his loafers into the carpet.
A skilled life insurance salesman pitching to an affluent market.

"Hellfire and brimstone..," the fiery man insisted upon as fact.
He locked eyes with my own and I was thankful I had taken a seat in the back.
Even though the subject matter was disturbing, I began to feel home free.
"He knows why you've really come. And furthermore you didn't pay your fee!"

Surely he must have knowledge of my shameful charade,
but smiled kindly before entering furiously back into his tirade.

Mysteriously his condemnation had disappeared without a trace.
Sweat beaded from my forehead; heart slowed down from its race.
Only after I felt the warmth of her did I realize at whom the gesture was made.
She gripped my hand and nodded, feeling her touch all fears began to fade.
Beside me was his beautiful daughter; ear-to-ear smile and no judgment in her face.
Amazing, I thought and whispered "Hey Grace."