The Child

I remember the day when I first saw his face
He’s etched in my mind, as a picture I’d trace
At first he meant nothing, and little did I care
But then he caught my eye, as I saw him everywhere

He looked a bit confused, so lost and alone
A feeling I’ve felt, and a feeling I’ve known
I’ve been there before, feeling all on my own
But through the years, I’ve changed and have grown

I see where he slips, and I see his mistakes
I feel his hurt, and know his heart aches
I know where he’s going, each step that he takes
I see when he falls, the facade that he fakes

Something inside me wants to wake that boy
To give him some hope, and restore his joy
He’s so close to being free, I wish he could see
Instead of knocking at the door, he waits for the key

There are so many things that I see clearly in him
That if he saw what I saw, he wouldn’t feel so grim
If he only knew the talents that he possessed
How he was gifted, how much he was blessed

I know I could help him, so I decide to go talk
I tell him who he is,  s  l  o  w  l  y   as we walk
But still he looks confused, his vision isn’t clear
It’s as though my talking just went out the other ear

I look him in his eyes and finally understand
Why advice once given, hadn’t gone as planned
The eyes that had a veil which made it hard to see
Were the eyes of blindness that were really found in me

Now I see how far I ‘ve come, from my foolish past
I see how every time I grew, the old self wouldn’t last
I see how I was more than me, more than all the flesh
That the Spirit that’s within me, is the one who will refresh…

I was born in a country, miles north of here
A son in a loving family; little did I fear
I moved as a child, to the great U.P.
My spirit still gentle, lighthearted…free

I’m from my Grandpa’s garden, and the camp on Mehl Lake
From days of playin’ ball, from the time that I would ‘wake
From a father’s foundation, that stood firm through my trials
A man of understanding, who inspires with his smiles

I’m from sports and groups and friends and passion
And love from others and my growing compassion
From giving advice to those who have asked
From healing wounds, revealing fears that were masked

So… I sit here and look at the mirror of my youth
Slowly I smile, as I’ve searched for the truth
I’m learning who I am, and who I have become
Where I started from and how truly far I’ve come

I understand the process, and where I have to go
That I am still so foolish, with little that I know
But that’s alright with me, ‘cause I’ll never be quite done
Until my faithful Lord, has finished what He’s begun.