New Visitor To Church

I was just recognized in the Spiritual Newsletter at Writing. com. It was for the following poem that I wrote last August. I have forgotten about it and it was good to read it again. I print it again for you.

I am also celebrating the 40th anniversary of my Elder Ordination. I was ordained at Fayette 49 years ago today.


New Visitor To Church

She walked alone into a church one day.
Those who saw her looked the other way.
They tried to catch a sneaky peek
but nobody went to her to speak
and extend warm hospitality
so she could feel their vitality.

“Do you know that woman? one lady said.
The other shrugged her shoulders and her head.
“Her clothing is simple and out of style,”
said one to another with a smug smile.
“Did you notice her finger has no ring?”
“Perhaps she is always having a fling.”
She might be divorced – or doesn’t like men.
We sure don’t need someone like that again!
“The last one was evil -- don’t you recall?”
“If we have her with us, we may all fall.”
“She could be a widow -- it won’t be long then
‘til she starts making a play for our men.”

She sat alone as the service went on.
There was no doubt that the lines had been drawn.
The glib sermon made each one feel bolder.
The mass she was served was just cold shoulder.
The bread and the wine were not withheld
but they gave her much space as if she smelled.
As she left the service and reached the door
they had to confront – they couldn’t ignore.
They said nothing to her just as they planned
but they were startled when they shook her hand
a big nail print which could not be ignored.
Could they have been visited by the LORD?

“As you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

© Copyright 2007 Larry Linville (UN: larrylinville at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Larry Linville has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.