Gift of Grace

Families gathered from afar, families far apart
Some share love together, others lonely, suffer silently
Many are away, doing thankless things
That you and I may celebrate in our own way
Others gather together, leading thankless lives, giving little, expecting all

Still others quietly hurting, full of fear
They gather and wonder what the day will bring
Hopes and happiness based on the next big thing
Perhaps a flat screen TV or a new BMW to make them right
I have been all of that and so much more

Looking and listening to all the wrong things
Hoping possessions would fill the hole in my soul
Constantly restless and irritable when they did not
Disappointment usually turned to anger, anger to rage
Oh how I made those around me suffer at times

There is a family somewhere that will gather in love, enjoying each other
Another family will watch in horror as drunken dad hurls dinner across the room
In all the honesty I can muster, I have seen and sadly been both
Incomprehensible demoralization became my constant companion
Oblivion was the state that I searched and yearned for, just get me away from me

It's not like that anymore for me, deliverance was gifted my way
I am truly thankful for the men who reached out to me, when I was at the end
I miss them both dearly, think of them often, I wish they were still here
They would be pleased with how their work came to blossom this day
Me the uber-brat, the rotten kid who didn't care about anyone else

They showed me how much better it is to think of others, to be of service
That is truly life's greatest gift for me, I am so thankful for them and the others
Everyday for me is thanksgiving, grateful for my life, for who and what I have become
Thankful for the people who have reached out and touched me,
Even more grateful for the privilege of being able to touch the lives of others

I am most thankful to be aware that I have been blessed to walk in God's Grace
I have been blessed to walk in His Grace for almost thirty years now
Me, one of the least deserving of His children, the belligerent one, the heathen
I have come so far thanks to the people He put my life, I have so far to go
Everyday for me is an act of faith, a Gift of Grace