● Happy 16th!
I met you as a baby,
Watched you growing as a girl;
Now, you are a young lady
Ready to face the world!
For sixteen years you’ve budded
In purity, through grace;
And, now that you have blossomed,
Let not this age erase
The seeds of God’s Word planted
Deep within your heart’s sod;
You’ll ne’er be disappointed,
Whilst on the path Christ trod.
For God has led you safely
Amid the fires of youth;
So, trust in His love fully,
And follow in His Truth.
Take Jesus as your Partner,
Walk with Him every day;
Have Him your only Counselor;
Let His Word light your way.
Thus you’ll learn that, by heeding:
– His wisdom you’ll retain;
– No loss, to Him submitting!
– Instead, eternal gain!
● Graduation!…
Now that you’ve earned some Master’s
Degrees of schools on earth,
And life spins even faster,
Trying you for all you’re worth;
Remember Thy Creator
Now, in the days of “youth”!
For He’s thine only Master,
Whose Truth all ills can soothe.
He owns your every fibre
Of intellect or being;
As well, your: talent, treasure,
And,.. anyone you’re “seeing”!
Submit to Christ your whole life –
To which He owns all rights;
All your will (not “most” or “half”),
Not small, convenient bytes.
For He gives no such degrees
As, ‘masters’,… ‘Batchelors’…
But crowns! to those on their knees,
O’er self being conquerors.
For His approval, study,
Watching God’s Word; and pray
That He pronounce you ‘godly’
On “Graduation” Day!
● Engagement!…
[Dear LORD, news so delicious
Has come my way, today:
Rochelle – so very precious –
Done gave her heart away!
[The Damsel’s getting married!
And now, what should I say?
For You’re her Maker-Husband!
– Yet, “T” she must obey!]
● Marriage/Home/Parenting/Witnessing!…
(Rochelle)
Dear one, make Christ your Master –
To Him be duty-bound;
His Word solves problems faster!
‘Twill keep your marriage sound.
Around your family altar
May God’s rich grace prevail;
May Satan ever falter,
And tempt to no avail.
(“T”)
Husband! Be true like Joseph,
Stephen, Paul, Daniel,
Making your home a haven
Where holy joys excel!
God bless your bestowed quiver
To glorify His name,
Bring gladness to you ever –
And never grief or shame.
Now, wife, be honoured like Ruth;
Your household known for good:
The lighthouse be of God’s Truth –
All ’round your neighbourhood.
God’s love and peace attend you
Beyond your highest dream,
Be sure your home’s a venue
Where His will reigns supreme.
Amiss this ode be tho’ indeed,
If, never word be penned
To pray for world’s harvest-field,
Or willing hands to lend.
For Christ, our heavenly Bride-groom
Comes soon, to change our name!
For each, He’s reserved room – at
“Marriage Supper of the Lamb”.
Prophets have seen in vision
The glory He’ll bestow;
Soul-saving’s now our mission,
Christ’s kingdom here to grow.
But! – so there’s no confusion:
Each heart needs first take stock!
HOME’S the FIRST field of mission –
Secure your precious flock!
Penned (in installments, dedicated to my young friend, Rochelle): May 2,1998 (verses 1-3); November 4, 2003 (verses 4-6); May, 2004 (verses 7-12); 2015 (verses 13-24); and revised in 2016 (verses 7-12).
Scriptural allusion: Psalm 144:12; Proverbs 4:21-27; 31:10-31; 22:6; Ephesians 5:22-31; Genesis 18:19; 12:8; 13:18; Psalm 127:5.
Copyright (C) 2018 Dahana Baxter. All rights reserved.
