DEAR ONES

When in death our dear ones sleep,

Our souls by grief encumbered,

Hope bears on though yet we weep;

Deaths' days are surely numbered.

Christ did lay His body down,

To deaths’ demands submitted,

Drank the cup, wore mocking crown;

For this end was He fitted.

The prison doors oppressing

He unlocked, threw open wide.

To live once more, the blessing,

Yet, a while they must abide.

A while we, too, must wait

Resurrection day to see,

Though we pass beyond life’s gate,

In due time we shall go free.

For Eternal is His name.

Sweet became the bitter cup,

When on death He staked His claim

As He took His body up.

Death’s grip at last confounded,

No sad tears to wet our eyes,

Our joy will thrive unbounded,

When in life our dear ones rise.

© Summer Owens

Free to print for personal use.

THE CLAIM He claims He can redeem us, Yet some state that He cannot, Saying, ‘No one has the sinful Tendencies and thoughts I’ve got. No one’s ever made such missteps In precisely the same way. His grace will be beyond my reach When comes the judgment day.’ These self-abasing sentiments May grant some consolation, Till the moment scrutiny Reveals their true fixation. For at their center lies disguised That age-old enemy pride. In saying Christ can’t save our souls, We’ve all but said He lied. In setting ourselves up As an exception to His claim, We suggest that we know better, Thus, disparaging His name. The Son of God has given all To claim all those who believe, For none will ever merit Any grace they might receive. When we seek to do good, For mistakes make reparation, It’s not to purchase Heaven But to practice emulation. This is true discipleship; The wellspring of charity. A pathway not just one and done But trod continually. This is faith untainted A humility that is pure. Its fruit is confidence which grows With each day that we endure. Our efforts won’t be perfect But as we move on with resolve Our attitudes and habits Will assuredly evolve. Then, when before the bar we kneel Invoking our Savior’s name, He will say unto the Father, ‘On these I lay my claim.’ © Summer Owens