The Mysterious Ways Of God
His life was hidden in shadow.
It read like a $2.00 novel.
Nothing to rave about.
No reason to jump and shout.
He just drifted from day to day.
Nothing seemed to go his way.
He walked along the railroad tracks.
Head down, thinking what he lacks.
His life, unremarkable, in every way.
Why did it have to be this way?
He had no talent to stand above others.
His looks were only loved by his mother.
He just lived from day to day.
Riches never came his way.
He never made an outstanding contribution.
He didn’t even know anything worth disputing.
He was the run of the mill down and out.
The kind people didn’t talk about.
He was a shadow. A complete unknown.
If anyone knew him, it wasn’t shown.
He was honest. He had his pride.
He couldn’t steal if he tried.
He never bothered anyone.
Others picked on him just for fun.
Kids would throw rocks at him.
They would yell obscenities. Why pretend?
He was unwanted. They didn’t want him around.
So, he walked on, his head to the ground.
He slept in drain pipes and under bridges.
He would wash in the river, then dry his britches.
Hang them on a bush in the sun.
Each day ended as it had begun.
He would say a prayer to his God.
Now, that may sound a little odd.
But, he had morals and a religious belief.
He believed God would carry all his grief.
God had a job for him to do.
He would never think that his job was through.
So, on he went, day after day.
Till he met me one day.
I was feeling down and out.
Seems my girlfriend had thrown me out.
I met him down by the river.
I remember what I was thinking , with a shiver.
I was going to do myself in.
Gradually, I started talking with him.
When he told me of his faith.
I was shocked & felt disgrace.
How could a man with so little.
Be so faithful & kind. It was a riddle.
We talked for hours.
When it was done, I lay in the flowers.
I prayed to the Lord.
Take my sins away & make me yours.
I stood up & was a new person.
A new outlook on life. No more cursing.
The man had tears on his face.
He knew a miracle had taken place.
He knew God had sent him to me.
He was as happy as he could be.
Eventually, he went on his way.
“My work was not finished today.”
I knew this was probably true.
I knew my work had just started too.
There is only one thing I can say.
God does work in mysterious ways.
——————————R. W. Johnson—–(2015)