Stories Of Hope Series #8 Old Friend Poem by louis rams

I came across a friend today
It had been so long I didn’t know what to say.
The words seemed to escape my mind
For it had been such a long time.
She asked me about my family
and how life was treating me.

Not wanting to tell her all I had been through
I said: fine! How about you?
She sensed that there was something on my mind
That I did not want to speak about.
She carefully chose her words, and told me
What she was going through
And all the things that she had to do.

She had lost her job, lost her family to divorce
It was the only solution, it was the only course.
She had fallen into a depression
All because of the economic recession
She started to bicker and fight
And blame her husband, which wasn’t right.

I then started to tell her that I was in the same boat as she
And I felt that the world was closing in on me.
I found the bills so hard to meet
And that soon I would be in the street.
I was supposed to be the man, the bread winner.
And I couldn’t even buy a TVs. dinner.

She looked at me and said: I know!
But there was a place to go.
To go to the house of GOD, and you will
Find the strength within, for there is your
Family, and there is your friend.

I went with her to the house of GOD
And as I walked in, I felt a sense of relief
For I had been released of all my anguish and grief.
I walked towards the altar and got down
On my knees to pray.
There was so much to GOD that I had to say.
Why is it that I’m going through all these aches and pains
I have been good, and there is nothing of which I am ashamed.
I am trying to meet my obligations to all the ones I love
But I need your help, so send me an angel from the heavens up above.

I then heard music, and a voice so gently say.
Your angel has been with you, and you met her just today.
I did not understand just what he had meant
The only one I met was just an old friend.
The thought then entered my mind and I looked back to see.
She was an angel which GOD had chosen for me.
to lead me on this path, to his house of prayer
For that is where he wanted me to show that he cared.

I walked out of the church with a new found HOPE
For he had given me strength and showed me how to cope.

HOPE IS THE KEY, IT WILL SET YOU FREE.