Try To See The Big Picture! Poem by Denis Martindale

Ask those who've lived alone for years what lockdown means today
And you may see they shed no tears that this has come their way.
They will, of course, express concern, for those who've never known,
When suddenly they had to learn this modern Twilight Zone.
I've lived alone for ten years now, so my life's quite routine.
I felt no struggle here somehow. I've seen all that I've seen.
The outside world can stay outside. What need have I to roam?
Since I'm alive and haven't died, I'm glad to stay at home.

If I stay in and don't go out, diseases cannot spread.
No coughs or sneezes cast about nor adding to the dead.
If that's a hero thought by some, for me, life doesn't change.
I'll wait until Christ has to come, as my God may arrange.
But if I die before that time, good things will follow on.
Some wonderful and quite sublime beyond the year I've gone.
So I will live the time I'm due regardless of today.
Regardless of Man's point of view. No matter. Come what may.

I'll give my gifts to charities. I'll praise God just the same.
I know His wonders never cease, as that's why Jesus came.
So why hold back my share of praise? My God has done quite well.
He's let me live my share of days. He's rescued me from Hell.
He's brought me safely to this place. He's helped me now and then.
God blessed me with amazing grace, in ways beyond my ken.
I can't explain why I'm alive, yet others suffered so.
I only know that I survive, and in God's love, I grow.

That was my portion from the start, before my time of birth,
And could be that God saw my heart, and knew that it had worth.
Or that I preached of Calvary, for more than forty years,
Or that compassion helped me see when others shed their tears.
That's why to charities I give, with faith and hope and love,
Because, as long as I may live, I may please God above!
For praise is more than hymns we sing! More than the prayers we pray!
It's every single gift we bring that makes the Saviour's day!


Denis Martindale. August 2020.