Saturday, January 7, 2012

Walking His Way Through



                                                     He walked down country roads
                                                     with a faded Bible in hand
                                                     ragged as his old shoes
                                                     this old time preacher man

                                                     He had a message to deliver
                                                     to every church around
                                                     a different one every week
                                                     he covered a lot of ground
 
                                                     In the winter time cold
                                                     his coat was thread bare
                                                     he'd brace against the wind
                                                     with no regrets or despair

                                                     When the hot summer's heat
                                                      beat down upon his brow
                                                      he'd wipe away the sweat
                                                      holding on to his vow

                                                      A few pennies in hand
                                                      were all they could give
                                                      he never asked for money
                                                      modest was the way he lived

                                                      And he never once failed
                                                      on any given day
                                                      he'd take his small earnings
                                                      and give them all away

                                                      To some needy family
                                                       living by the roadside
                                                       it filled his heart with joy
                                                       and a sense of great pride

                                                       If one hungry child
                                                       he could have fed
                                                       he'd thank his father above
                                                       and go hungry instead

                                                       Just an old preacher man
                                                       walking his way through
                                                       doing the Lord's work
                                                       in the only way he knew

                                                       When he laid down his work
                                                        his body and life's goal
                                                        heaven's gates opened wide
                                                        it was a sight to behold

                                                       Susie Swanson, 2011

This one came as an inspiration  from one of the many stories my dad told me.. Back then one preacher would cover alot of churches.. This one particular man, my dad talked about, went from one church to another preaching. He went where the Lord led  him to go and deliver the message.
Daddy said the old fellow's shoes were falling off of his feet, but he kept on walking. Back then people didn't have any money and the offering was sure to be small, but he always gave it away before he got home.. What a homecoming it must have been when he reached Heaven.. Blessings, Susie
         
                                                   

30 comments:

  1. Susie,
    Wonderful poem! This reminds me of my grandfather who was an old-time mountain preacher. My father was also a preacher and was the pastor of several country churches in Clay County. Fantastic poem. I loved it.

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  2. Very nice poem, Susie. I can remember hearing stories about ministers that traveled around from church to church.

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  3. Such a lovely poem, Susie. Have a nice weekend.

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  4. Touching poem, Susie. My daddy was a preacher in country churches starting in the late 50s.

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  5. Hi Susie, what a beautiful and inspiring poem. Such self-sacrificing people are never forgotten. I bet he comforted and touched the hearts of many a person in those days when so many were isolated away in their farms and other hard to reach backwood places. Your poem expressed it so wonderfully. It is like I have said before, you have a unique way of getting into another's mind and empathizing with their feelings. It is a rare gift and makes your writing come alive. Have a lovely evening! Delisa :)

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  6. A far cry from the man we interviewed once for our church whose very first question was about the salary!

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  7. Thanks to everyone, glad you enjoyed it and George. I know where you're coming from and it's a shame.. Times sure have changed..

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  8. What a great testimony. I loved your poem.

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  9. Susie,
    Wow, can you imagine how he was feeling to meet his Heavenly Father? It reminded me of that song by MercyMe, 'I Can only Imagine!' ...love that song!
    Beautiful post...

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  10. Thank you Muddling Through, it surely was.

    Tracy I can only imagine it must have been glorious..thanks.

    Thank you so much Country Whispers..

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  11. So heart warming Susie. How great sometimes man can be, and it makes me wonder what shall we do in order to gather his blessings. I guess there are a many who needs our help, our love and care, we only need to look out.
    beautiful.

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  12. Hello Susie,

    A wonderful poem. This preacher reminds me of Jesus's disciples. They lived a very simple life,walked for miles,went through immense hardships and in the end they sacrificed their lives. It is hard work and dedication of people like this the foundation stone of Jesus's church was laid. So many preachers went to unknown places where people spoke different language than their own and brought them to Christ.

    Even now there are few people in the Christian world who are ready to sacrifice their lives for Christ. One nun belonging to my neighboring parish went to North India and worked among the tribal people to uplift their living conditions. But vested interests who opposed the spreading of Christ's message murdered her. No one was caught by the police.The murderers are freely living. Very sad state of affairs.

    Very inspiring poem beautifully written.
    Joseph

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  13. I agree Joseph, they did lay the foundation of Jesus's Church..That is so sad about the nun... but they will pay.. thank you Joseph for your nice words and reviews.. I cherish them..

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  14. Thank you Monika, that is so true.. I appreciate your nice words and everyone else.. I've really been blessed my first year of Blogging.. So many wonderful friends and I cherish each one..

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  15. A wonderful touching poem Susie, well done most enjoyable.

    Yvonne.

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  16. Your poem is so touching. It is humbling to know of someone who was a person of such sacrifice.
    Thank you for your kind words on my blog and for following my work. I have now become one of your blog followers. :)

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  17. Thank you Yvonne, so glad you liked it..

    Thank you Susie, I read your work and it is awesome.. It will be an honor to follow you also..

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  18. Susie,
    That was beautiful. I could visualize every word.

    Cathy

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  19. Indeed beautiful,touching, mesmerizing,inspiring..It touched the humanity in me..Salute to the preacher.
    Loved the rhymes!!
    Rohit

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  20. Thank you Cathy and Rohit for the nice comments and visits..

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  21. I enjoyed this poem a lot! Parts of it reminded me of my Papaw Wade :)

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  22. Great story and poem I am following you now,thanks again ! Blessings Jane

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  23. Thank you Tipper, I knew your grandpa and it does remind me of him..

    Thank you jane, I'm so happy to have you and I will follow you..

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  24. Hi Susie, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law, it is certainly sad news. Please give my sympathy to your husband and the rest of the family. It sounds like you have been through a very difficult weekend. My heart and prayers are with you and I hope that you will all have a good nights rest tonight. When I have lost loved ones in the past I am always comforted by the knowledge that they rest in God's memory, and are written in his book of life and that we will all be together again one day. Jesus' Kingdom will take away all the sickness and pain. Revelation 21: 3-4 was my Dad's favorite verse and he quoted it often, says "And God will wipe out every tear from our eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning or outcries, and pain will be no more." Rest well Susie and thank you again for being my friend and for all your encouraging comments and beautiful poetry. With Love, Delisa

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  25. Loved your poem, Susie. Those traveling preachers were something else.

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  26. What a wonderful man this was, indeed, thinking of everyone before himself. I wonder...did your dad know this man? This was a special poem in his dedication. Susie, die you have a loved one that just passed away? I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I am sending love your way.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  27. "Just a country girl"? Susie, I wish you would change that intro to, "A country girl who is proud of her cultural heritage."

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  28. Thanks to all for your nice words, Yes I lost a brother in law this weekend. Thank you all for your kindness, caring and prayers.. LOL Dean I would chnge it but I figure they have already found that out by what I write.. country to the bone and proud of it..

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  29. This is a great poem, Susan, and that was a great man! So sorry about your loss. God bless you and your family.

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