There Was Another Way
-By Lisa Parks ©-
Did you see? Were your eyes open or were they shut?
Were your ears plugged so as not to hear their cries, so as not to see their real lives.
Were they supposed to be perfect? Would they mess up your place in this world?
Did you ignore them hoping their problems would just disappear, so as not to make drama in your place of peace?
Were their tears falling to the floor too loud?
Did you ever look into their eyes, the eyes of their heart?
Did you ignore the pain of their longing to be accepted as they are?
Did you ever ask what is really wrong, or did you pass it off with a glance thinking its a phase of trivial children's things?
Did you see the young man being bullied at High School everyday since the first day?
Did you know he held it in and turned the other cheek like Jesus taught him to?
Did you see the young woman of God be ridiculed, having gum put in her hair for her belief in her Lord?
Did you see the tears fall to the floor when she prayed for you?
Did you see her turn down pressuring guys because she made a purity vow?
Were you there when she was mocked by girls and boys for standing her ground?
Did you shun the girl who only wore black? Her apparel offended you. Do you know her past? Her face shines brightly but her clothes tell a different story...they hide the scars that you can't see.
Did you look past a teenaged boys anger to ask why? There is a reason for his drama but as you said it would be to much for you.
Did you see the 11 year old whose body outgrew her mind? She so wants to be like her older friends, because she looks like them. Did you see the boys taunting her thinking she was older? Did your older child place temptation at her feet?
There was another way !
Well take a good look. Let it upset your peace a little. Let your heart cry for the youth. Did you see the look on the young man's face when you said he was not welcome here because of what he wore, or the company he kept? Did he not bring his company to your doorstep to be administered to?
What is the moral to this story you ask? I say Jesus never tells us that we are not welcome at his table. He longs for the young to be there.
Bring the little children to me, Jesus says.
He looks upon their hearts, not upon what they wear? His eyes are ever watching them, His love and acceptance are always there. He cries when they cry. He fights for them.
HE IS LOVE!
God welcomes you anytime -- anywhere!!
This poem is dedicated to any youth that were ever told that they were not welcome in a place of worship.
Author notes
This is not preaching its about labeling teens, and teens are my passion! A true story that ended up a poem.
A contest entry
- contest should be fun.. by bleed-it-out.
650 points, ended June 3, 2007, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Raven Qualifier - Culture: Religion, Society and Politics by Raven Contest.
450 points, ended August 1, 2007, 84 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - STEREOTYPING-+_+_allowing prewrites! by thelovesongwriter.
320 points, ended July 12, 2007, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - An Original Thought by Mark Spencer.
1000 points, ended October 24, 2007, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The best of the best of the best by Thedamned77.
405 points, ended February 14, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - What makes you passionate? by TabbyCat.
900 points, ended March 24, 2008, 30 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 21 of 21
-
Oh nice about having us as your passion! Needless to say, that is what I have heart for- teens!
This write is the Freakin TRUTH! I am the girl that you described as 'shunned because dressed in black'. People just need to wake up and realize what their cruel words and thoughts are doing.
THe poem was amazing..great job. It spoke to me so, it's making me cry! (and I rarely cry...so good job *hehehe*)
-
Wow...what a great piece. I worked in the public school with Jr. High kids for four years and I can testify to the fact that they need acceptance and will take it from anyone who will give it to them. It is for that reason that I agree wholeheartedly with your poem. I think people forget that they too are sinners. It's easier to cast a judgmental glance than to look upon our own hearts. Thanks so much for writing this necessary piece and good luck in the contest.
-
Spectacular message. It is such a sin when we judge others...deny them acceptance into our fellowship. We need to remember that Jesus Himself dined with tax collectors (some of the most hated people of the time) and sinners. And, when he came across the woman who had been caught in adultery, he did not condemn her. Are we so righteous that we can decide who is welcome at the table of God? The Bible says that all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Christ's death is powerful enough to overcome even the darkest of sins, and for that I am thankful.
-
This is a beautiful poem about acceptance and Christ-like attributes. Thanks for your entry
-
I love this
I think this is a wonderful piece. Everything you said is so sadly true. I think you have done a wonderful job, Good Luck in the contest, I hope you win.
-
beautiful job. i thought at the beginning- oh no...too many questions that aren't going to boost the poem...but you proved me wrong! great job and thanks for entering
-
such a personal experiences this felt like the opening of ones hearts and the times and things they shared.Humans can indeed be cruel to one another and hurtful as well as harmful to one another.
-
Thank you Earthstar,
I wrote it when i have 3 youths standing in my living room two crying and one mad because they were told they had to leave because of what they were wearing. I must say they was dress fine , not dressed up , but dress in nothing offencive . This sadden me and angered me enough ..and this is what came out of it that night.
Thanks for reading it !!!
~Lisa~ -
Wow a very express with feeling and wrote with such a passion for our youth today. You are right the word teaches not to turn our back to any one. It does happen. This is the world we live in. One looks what is the church saying is it about the world or God. If it about the world. One does not want to be apart of that church. We are called to gather with believers not religion. I like the way you express both sides so the reader can learn from this view point. I like how you put "God welcomes you anytime or anywhere. Very well wrote. The passion and tone was done very well.
-
Thank you very much !
-
outstanding!!
this is excellent so diffent i have never read anything like this..the message is wonderful and im sure it has inspired others...very good good luck and thank you!!! glad to see someone write about the lord!!!
-
Welcome to the site with this!:D
Goodness. I just LOVED the content of this piece.
The theme reached me as I think that shows the discontent of organized churches. They probably don't mean to be that way, but it brings blood to my temper..lol.
I agree with you and am sorry for that awful situation.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. ( they need prayer...
)
Okay.
The form is a bit cluttered to me.
and due to the number of lines, I'll
check with Myra on what to do about it.
I was thinking about an alternative to
keep it within the contest.
Rather than have it read like a poetic essay,
could you gather the nuggets of it
and re-write it into a nice slender
reflective piece that doesn't starve
the intention?
I'll help if you need it.
It's worth it.
Let us know, but we respect any
choice you make.
Thank you so very much! Warmly, CookieZeal
-
All to true
I used to operate a bus ministry in one church I was in and would bring in poor kids from a bad part of town. They were not always well behaved. More than once I was approached by church members telling me they didnt want that kind of kid in the church.
I didnt reply but i also kept bringing the kids
-
Interesting read
nice thoughts about young people and their actions. Nice flow here.
-
Oh Beloved Lisa!
On reading this, I simply had to struggle to be objective, judging structure -- for the content just simply TOUCHED my heart! You should be a preacher, a social worker, a healer. And I know you are ... for you SEE. As Jesus did. And how well you worded this!
The only suggestion I want to make is: keep the lines together that belong together, by taking out the spaces inbetween. In that way the typography may enhance the poem.
Other than that: I think your thoughts in solitude reminded the reader of a truth amazing in its healing:
Whenever you cry for another, the tears on your cheeks for your own sorrows are dried away. I will put this slogan in my Quotable Q. to always remember this entry.
Thank you for entering.
Love
Myra
-
wow...
very beautiful dedication!!!
!!!!
actually... awsomed!!!!
!!!!!!
take care & God bless,
brian!!!
-
Heartfelt and indignant. Having no religion, I am sometimes surprised by those who have and the rules they lay down. As a child, I never quite understood why men had to uncover their heads in church, and women to cover theirs. I think your poem would benefit by concentration; having made your point you should leave it - it has more impact that way. I think the 3 lines beginning 'Bring the little children..' are the poem's centre, and it should be built round that.
-
Beautiful Dedication
Your write was outstanding with so much feeling and depth. I really enjoyed it very much You have great talent here. I just think you should put the contents more together to give it a more interesting and professional look. And make your Sentences shorter. I am looking forward to reading more of your work. Your style I like very much. Thank you for sharing with AP Family and I welcome You to a wonderful Site. (Lisa)
-
I think this also refers to anyone that has been teased, tormented or preyed upon not only christian.
You have written a very moving piece here. Your convictions show through strongly. Well done
I will say welcome to AP One of our lovely greeters will be along soon to officially welcome you.
Mia
-
-
Thank You
Yes it wasnt just about church but also the things kids have to go through in this crazy world , your word were very kind being that was the first thing i really ever wrote that i thought made any sence lol !
~Lisa~
-
-
Why i wrote this poem
I wrote this when i had three teens in my house upset because they were told to leave a place of worship because of what they were wearing .
I hope it brings hope and makes people think.
Laughing at myself because having no clue what i am doing i just rated my own poem lol!
Only me.
Adding your comment:
1 - 21 of 21
