“My Spanish Book” (Matthew 10:42; 1 Corinthians 12; 15:24-28)

“Almost my foot had slipped”, one said
In Scripture tome – he’s long since dead –
And that describes my project’s ways
As June rolls ’round – task-choosing days.

For once a year I choose one task
To do for other folks, in past
I’ve taught, and led, been on a board,
Helped alcoholics find the Lord.

But this year did the language gig,
Encouraging it First Baptist kid
In her endeavor to learn French
In town where that makes little sense.

As I’d learned Spanish tongue a bit
To help my own boy out with it,
I came to sharing bit by bit
Some chat each week from learning kit.

On Sunday when I, preaching, spoke,
I mentioned this, and made a joke
How she’d learned French much better than
I had, as both with language ran.

But, “What’s the use? Had filtered in
Re: language project – few can win
Against inertia blocking this;
Perhaps drop back to photo-kiss.

Then Edna called about a book
Someone dropped off – to take a look,
And see if it would Spanish help –
A phrase-book for library shelf.

To me that’s like cold-water cup –
So small, and yet it was enough
To turn the tides of history,
For language-project’s door I see.

For it’s all different now – the scope
Has opened up with Jesus’ hope;
The others do not follow me
But copy rather what they see.

So maybe now she’ll get support
For French each week, enjoy her work
And maybe now with sparkling eyes
She’ll over blockages arise.

And me? Well! That is a different thing;
New “Reason” to the task I bring –
Not “Costa Rica”, “Local crowd”,
But synergy – by Christ empowered.

Not as a “Language-focus” task
As it has been for me in past,
But as a part of body-life
Christ does through us – me and my wife.

Lord, this is what I write of here,
And in the past Nee’s book made clear –
“Until we join in body-life,
Hung out to dry both day and night –

“We’ll find ourselves – we’re body now”;
Last piece revealed has now allowed
Me to perceive how gifts now fit,
When Christ’s agenda’s heart of it.

“Sun Tsu” indeed – baptism’s core
For me in eighty-five – now more
Is possible from this small cup
Of water shared – indeed enough!

Lord, thanks for this huge break in things;
Such hope indeed this action brings;
Amazing how this all works out
In You – indeed – what we’re about.

Thanks Lord for this.

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