"I want to thank all those who come from around the world and read the poetry that God has inspired me with to make the world a more pleasant and peaceful place. This site shall always be totally free for everyone with no tracking, pop-up ads & videos or other distractions." ~louis gander

February 1, 2022

That Old Deep Well 2-1-22


That old deep well
could not repel
the thoughts that came to mind.
It had a job.
I did not sob
but sought what I might find.

I could not run
in this hot sun
and had a healthy thirst.
I can't deny
my mouth was dry
so I put myself first.

I stepped on plank,
turned hard the crank,
but it seemed to refuse.
It didn't care
that life's not fair
but I'm not one to lose.

So I had hope
in that old rope
to lift that bucket full.
With all my might
I grabbed rope tight
and then commenced to pull.

To fill tin cup,
the rope wound up.
around that rustic log.
On weathered board
I questioned Lord.
Then barked, my lazy dog.

Sometimes I think
to get a drink
that I must- on my own-
work very hard
with disregard
for what I should have known.

Now I might think
refreshing drink
should cure my ev'ry ill,
but it does not
though God forgot
those sins that hurt me still.

Did woman at
the well react
to her specific need?
To sin no more,
I think it's for
the rest of us to heed.

God does forgive
the way we live
like woman at the well:
But she had grasped
what Jesus asked,
so others she could tell.

My old tin cup
can't measure up
to God's tremendous flood.
We'll never thirst
when God is first,
for Christ had spilled His blood.

Our water chills.
God's water fills
displacing all our strife.
We must begin
to offer Him
our dedicated life.

©2022 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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John 4:7-14
The Woman of Samaria

7 A woman of Samaria *came to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away to the city to buy food. 9 So the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, though You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink, though I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 She *said to Him, “[c]Sir, You have no bucket and the well is deep; where then do You get this living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well and drank of it himself, and his sons and his cattle?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”

January 1, 2022

Should Time Be Up 1-1-22


I bow my head and fold my hands.
My faithful Father understands
the depths of my great sorrows.
With my heart's cord
I beg the Lord
to fix all my tomorrows.

He knows it's bad.
His heart is sad.
All Heaven mourns for me.
But if God's will
is that I'm ill,
then it was meant to be.

Some do attest
God takes the best
away from evil earth.
But problem's this:
that I will miss
my child's tremendous worth.

We all will die
and so I cry,
but through storms, I still bow.
Should time be up,
Lord, take my cup.
in peace, for You know how.

You've let me stay
another day
to spend with my dear child.
And that is why
now tears are dry.
Through blessings - I have smiled.

But if Your will
should take me still
then I will gladly go;
no more to roam,
I'll be at home
with You, who loves me so.

©2022 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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December 21, 2021

Christmas Program 12-21-21


The Christmas Program show begins
with children singing Christmas hymns
below the shining star.
From 1 year old's to upper teens,
they bring alive those Christmas scenes.
How cute those children are!

---

Memorized lines,
each face still shines.
The donkey even smiled.
It's good to know
those children show
a love for manger child.

They had such fun.
Program was done.
And so, was time to go.
Through many years,
through many fears,
I watched those children grow.

Through God above
I show my love.
I've little else to give.
They grow so fast
and hugs are past.
They have their lives to live.

My prayers are such,
they are worth much,
much more than earthly things.
For lost, a shame
each day's the same...
Joy is what Christmas brings.

Those memories,
they come to please.
Such love has grown for years.
Then much more love
pours from above
that brings me to my tears.

Though great or small,
forgiveness all,
God's gift, forever gives.
Love's in my eye.
For kids, I cry.
Yet Christmas Program lives.

©2021 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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December 16, 2021

The Smallest Ornament 12-16-21


I'm just a little ornament here hanging on the tree.
They put me in the very back and I can hardly see.

The wall is here right next to me and I don't have a view.
My paint has faded quite a bit and some has flaked off too.

So no, I'm not the prettiest, nor biggest one on here.
This big ol' tree does not need me and my last days are near.

This just might be the last time you will see my faded shine.
I'm just too old to show to you my obsolete design.

For days and weeks I'm stuck back here. The time goes by so slow.
I wish I was quite different - to have something to show.

I also have a crack or two but they are very small.
I wish I was the wiser so that I could hang, not fall.

My confidence would come back strong and courage would be mine!
I'd show them I could be the best. I'd show this big ol' pine!

But reflection in another ornament, I could see.
I saw my true unvarnished face and it was really me..

Decided I, to give all up. For it was time to quit.
My pity-party started as I childishly had a fit.

Just then I heard a tender voice. A child, I'm sure because,
the voice was of an angel. A girl of nine, she was.

She carefully had took me down and placed me in her hand.
At first, I was quite fearful but soon, I'd understand.

She set me on a table and she glued each little crack.
And then she took such special care to clean me front to back.

She painted me with special paints that made the glitter shine.
She made me look like I was new with such a grand design.

And then she placed me on the tree- but not next to the wall.
She placed me right in front where I could greet you, one and all. 

I felt like I had life anew and it sure gave me joy!
I smiled each time they looked at me- ev'ry girl and boy.

That little girl had loved me so and her, I can't repay.
Now too, I have that special love to show in ev'ry way.

Yes, Jesus does for you just what the girl had done for me.
He cleans you up, forgives your sins and makes you wholly free.

The next time you walk past a lovely, big ol' Christmas tree,
look for the smallest ornament ...and you might find it's me.

©2021 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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1 Corinthians 13:13

"But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love."