Something drew me back that way,
I visited the place where I grew up today.
I saw houses, stores, and people I knew I’d meet,
At the center of town I turned down that street.
What I saw there nearly knocked me down,
Our great church had burned to the ground.
Then suddenly, I saw myself in the rubble there,
My faith, like that building, was ashes and despair.
It once was strong, but like that building,
Brick by brick, I had let it get withered and sick.
And my God drew me back to this place,
To see, like this building,
The Church, in me, lay in disgrace,
I bowed my head in shame,
Then I heard, Just call on “My Name”.
Then I knew what to do,
I knelt beside what once was a pew,
I asked for forgiveness, I asked for God’s love,
I asked for the mercy which comes from the Son,
It seemed we talked for hours today,
As I wept, and listened, and prayed.
And then…
The one whom I’d pierced with my sin,
Offered to make me whole again.
He said I could walk with Him all of my days,
As I stood to my feet and I offered Him praise.
I’m so glad I came this way,
For praise God, He rebuilt His Church Today!
Peter D. Mallett
c.2005 Tidewater Christian Writers Forum Norfolk Virgnia