I go to the meeting, no bread in my basket
The week just seemed to fly by
The truth is right there, no need to mask it
God knows when I’m trying to lie

Distractions and noise and all of the chatter
The thoughts that fill up my mind
Things of no value that really don’t matter
Enter in to rob my soul blind

I sat in my chair and opened the Book
The pages seemed empty and bare
I knocked at the door, stepped in took a look
It seemed that he just wasn’t there

How my heart yearned for something to share
Some message that came from God’s heart
Something of value, fresh bread and to spare
I would bring for my own little part

A miracle happens! The table is filled
From everyone there in the room
The harvest is great, the soil has been tilled
And hope has sprung up in full bloom

I’m glad I was there! Just think what I’d missed
And all that would not have been mine
The treasure so sweetly by Providence kissed
The gold only fire can refine

The blessing will come in spite of our lack
God is true to his law from on high
And when we persist, He takes up the slack
And feeds hungry souls when they cry!

David Kettler
01/21/10

I wrote this poem just after the first of the year. I remember being very distraught over the trouble with selling our house. We had already moved into our home on Stemple Drive when the escrow on our Dell Rapids home kind of unraveled.  I think it is very normal to struggle spiritually when we struggle financially. Anytime a sheep is bothered, its head comes up and they quit feeding because they are intent on the coyote that is circling the flock. I’m very glad to my Dad that we were never given an option about going to meeting. Unless we were sick at the point of death…we went! That discipline has really helped me realize what this poem is all about…in spite of our failure or lack of attention to our Soul’s need, God is still very faithful and we never regret just going to the meeting no matter how we feel!



 

 Where is the harvest so bounteous and full
If not for the sower, who pours out their soul?
Where is the gold with its radiant shine
If not for the miner, working the mine?

Where is the king so gloriously royal
If not for the servant’s undying toil?
Where are the great men, one after another
If not for the love, of some caring mother?

Servant and sower, miner and mother
All unaware, of the eyes of each other
Secretly struggling, again and again
Prompted by love, not praise of men

The first shall be last, and the last shall be first
Some will be blessed, and some might be cursed
The king will be servant, the mining will cease
The sower and mother will then rest in peace

David Kettler

I love this poem. I know that my Mom helped with some of the lines of this poem. If I remember correctly, the fifth and sixth stanza’s were re-written by her and I’ve always liked them. It seems like I often have written something about those that quietly serve behind the scenes. I know it comes from what Jesus has taught us but I have really been blessed to grow up around many who have practiced this in our day and generation. My dear folks worked very hard to corral their prideful, ego maniacal sons and constantly teach us by word and by example, to do things un-seen having the faith to believe that no deed will ever go unnoticed by the really important one who is keeping score behind the scenes!

The cloud and the fire in the desert stood still
Insuring God’s people of his presence and will
When it moved forward they had to move on
Late in the night or at first break of dawn

If their heart and their love back in Egypt remained
Then each of the moves they would have complained
For the cloud and the fire never sought to go back
But forward they went on a promise land track

If they would tarry and the pillar did move
Distance would form and his presence remove
Soon the hot sun would be scorching the brow
The cold chill at night with no fire there now

Those closest to them most in touch with God
Would have moved on at his gentle kind prod
It gets very lonely and soon we will tire
If we ever lose touch with the cloud and the fire

This poem came about from reading Exodus 13 and thinking about the pillar of fire and the pillar of the cloud. At first I had the thought that both the fire and the cloud always moved toward the promise land but then I read where the cloud did go behind them the one time and shield them from the pursuing Egyptians. I liked the thought that even when we can’t see God’s presence, he is still behind us looking out for our good. I also like the idea that when we see the cloud or the fire off in the distance, it’s time for us to move. We don’t tell Gods presence to come to where we are, we must move to where it is leading us. Another good indication that it’s time to move is when those closest to us are moving because they want to be closer to Gods presence. The safest people to be around are always the ones who are inspiring us to move closer to God.                     

 



 

 “Let there be trees” said he,

 in a time far long ago

He knew one day they would yield a cross,

the middle of three in a row

There on would hang, his only Son,

from nails that some earlier date…

came from the ore in the cold hard ground,

those same hands helped create

“Let there be shrubs” was the request

whence prickly briers were born…

when all too well, He knew it would mean

a crown that was made of thorn

As blood flowed down, mixed with tears

and landed upon the earth

it soiled the Lamb who so willingly died…

and saved this world of it’s dearth

The lips that feigned to care for the poor,

and sought that nothing be missed,

were later the lips from one named Judas,

by which our Master was kissed

“Let there be light” he said very simply,

as life’s journey began to embark,

knowing full well, at the death of his Son,

the light of the world would turn dark

How did he ever, find in his heart,

the love to create the man?

When all along, crucifying his Son,

would all be part of the plan?

The Son was IN on the planning,

never to say him nay…

“My Father, let us consider,

isn’t there some other way”!?

“Yea the Lamb that you’ve created,

and planned that it should die,

as it must be led to the slaughter…

Father now must also I”

David Kettler


 I can’t remember if the idea behind this poem was mine or my Mom’s. Anyway, I know that she did re-write a few lines on this poem as well and I think made it a lot better. I’ve often likened the theme of this poem to raising kids. We pour everything we can into our kids to make them smart, tough, self sufficient and independent….and then they leave us! There is something wonderful about the “circle of life” though and how it all works. Oh the revenge I may have some day ….with my grandchildren!!