Remaining At School

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The following post is from one of my very dearest friends. It is a quote of a poem authored by Charles Hanson Townes and quoted in Mitch Albom's book entitled "For One More Day."

Following the poem are my friend's comments. I am sure that both the Truth shared in the poem and the humility shared in my friend's comments are universal and understood by us all.

One foot in front of the other, we must press on and the finish the course set before each one of us by God. One day after another, remaining humble, teachable and repentant. One moment after another, remaining at school, even when we blunder.

I'm sure that we all thank God that He understands.

When he went blundering back to God,
His songs half written, his work half done,
Who knows what paths his bruised feet trod,
What hills of peace or pain he won?

I hope God smiled and took his hand,
And said, ”Poor truant, passionate fool!
Life’s book is hard to understand:
Why couldst thou not remain at school?

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This hit me like a ton of bricks. When I read this poem, I broke into tears because several lines forced me to reflect on my own failures, shortcomings etc., and each morning, I “Blunder back to God”” after a day of seemed “Songs half written and work half done.”

But this I know, my friend, that this “truant, passionate fool” will keep blundering and God will keep smiling and taking my hand until I am strong enough and faithful enough for Him to show me how I can serve Him as he wants.