House Behind The Weeds

Just two little boys....
Walking down a dusty lane...
They came upon this old white house...
With broken windowpanes.
 
The paint was faded; the shine was gone....
The grass had grown so high...
Still they made their little feet...
Go see what was inside.
 
They opened up the squeaky door...
And then it came to light....
This must have been an old church house...
Once upon a time.
 
Dirty, dusty wooden pews....
A pulpit that still stood...
A bible lay upon it....
Though the pages weren't too good.
 
An offering plate and song books too...
Were lying on the floor....
They must have left this old church fast...
The day they closed these doors.
 
And over in the corner...
A piano was still there...
It must have played a pretty tune...
But I guess nobody cared.
 
So little Bill looked up at Tommy...
And Tommy looked at Bill....
"Why don't we clean this old church up?
And get these old pews filled?"
 
They took a rag and wiped the dust...
To try and make things shine....
And then they took the offering plate...
And put in it their last dime.
 
They took a broom and swept the floor...
And picked up broken glass....
They got it all so nice and neat...
And then they mowed the grass.
 
They lifted up the old church sign...
And stood it by a tree...
Right down by that old dirt road....
Where everyone could see.
 
They ran back home, to find Daddy gone...
But their Momma was inside....
Just to find her hurt again....
Where Daddy had made her cry.
 
"Don't cry Momma, wipe those tears,"
Little Bill and Tommy smiled....
"Cause we have a big surprise for you....
Just down the road a mile."
 
Hand in hand they tugged at her...
Until they made her run....
"What is it Bill, Oh Tommy,
Just what have you two kids done?"
 
And then they came upon the house...
Once hidden by the weeds...
And there it stood, a country church...
Just like it used to be.
 
"But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears?
We thought this would bring you joy."
"Yes, but hush kids now and listen close...
My two sweet precious boys."
 
They both got quiet and stood real still....
For the words they heard so true....
Was Daddy praying in the church...?
With his head bowed on the pew.

"Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord!
Though I'm not worthy of Your love...
But shine down on this sinner man...
Sweet Salvation from above."
 
"For I've been out in the world, You know....
Living my life all wrong....
Until I came upon this church;
The place where I belong."
 
"I never noticed it before...
All those times I passed it up....
I guess I wasn't looking, Lord....
Or maybe I was drunk."
 
"Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord...
The one who made me see....
This little church that used to hide...
Behind all those tall weeds."
 
And then he raised his head and stood....
With his hands high in the air....
To find two, dirty, tear-faced boys...
With Momma standing there.
 
They ran up to him, hugged him tight...
As their tears fell on the floor....
"Don't worry kids, I'm not the Dad,
The one you've known before."
 
Things are different for us now...
So keep on those pretty smiles...
And let's go gather people in.
To walk down these church aisles."
 
Then Bill looked up at Tommy...
And Tommy looked at Bill...
"Come on brother; let's get to work....
To get these old pews filled?"
 
"For we need no special blessing...
For cleaning up this church....
'Cause, God gave us back our Daddy...
And that's more than gold is worth."
 
Sunday morning, pews all filled....
And smiles on every face...
Especially two little country boys...
The ones who found this place.
 
Though it was hid back in the weeds....
And so far out of sight...
Nothing's ever hard to find...
If you're walking toward God's light.

[ Written by: Sherri Puckett, Mayfield, KY -- From 'Inspired Buffalo' (InspiredBuffalo@lighthouse.net) ]