MERCY AND GRACE
Sister Sandra Susan Shantay Stout
Could not take the garbage out!
She'd go to church to pray and sing
She's gladly do most anything
Although most days she would not pout
She would not take the garbage out.
Within her heart old things piled high
She'd close her eyes as she passed by
Scars from wounds creating ridges
Right beside old bandages
She nursed her wounds however small
Each slight, each insult standing tall
"You can't", "You won't" the voices echoed
In the corner sat a truckload
Memos old, but not forgotten
Those were memories most rotten
Accusations, false or true
Within her heart, resentment grew
Bitter, acrid deep regrets
She fed them daily just like pets
Of course she hid them carefully,
Trying hard, to live joyfully.
Bit by bit her heart filled up
Stuff inside she can't cleanup
Unforgiveness, fits of rage
She felt trapped, in a cage
The Master came and offered free
to cast it all out in the sea
"I like this stuff," she said with glee
"Looks good on me. Don't you agree."
"It's who I am. I cannot change."
"No attitude would seem so strange."
And so He left her, let her be.
Nearby He waited patiently.
Each day she added to her mess,
Gossip, lies, small-mindedness.
Increasing in intensity,
Anger exponentially,
Addictions, strife, and rivalries
Casual immoralities
Fornication, lust and merriment
In her own way, she was very set.
And then one day it seemed too much
She realized she was out of touch
The Master seemed so far away
Her life in total disarray
Things are rough, life is tough
To call on Him, is it enough?
Suddenly at the door
He appeared, just like before
Grace and Mercy came through
This time, she knew what to do
"Come on in, I must confess,"
"I've made a life of one mess."
In no time at all,
He had cleaned up the hall
The secrets things of night
He brought to the light
The scars, the memories: away to the sea
The sin and addiction just so much debris
Gone are the remnants of hell
When Grace and Mercy come to dwell.
So remember Sister Sandy Stout
Who could not take the garbage out
Ask the Master. You won't lose face.
It's never too late for Mercy and Grace!
She'd go to church to pray and sing
She's gladly do most anything
Although most days she would not pout
She would not take the garbage out.
Within her heart old things piled high
She'd close her eyes as she passed by
Scars from wounds creating ridges
Right beside old bandages
She nursed her wounds however small
Each slight, each insult standing tall
"You can't", "You won't" the voices echoed
In the corner sat a truckload
Memos old, but not forgotten
Those were memories most rotten
Accusations, false or true
Within her heart, resentment grew
Bitter, acrid deep regrets
She fed them daily just like pets
Of course she hid them carefully,
Trying hard, to live joyfully.
Bit by bit her heart filled up
Stuff inside she can't cleanup
Unforgiveness, fits of rage
She felt trapped, in a cage
The Master came and offered free
to cast it all out in the sea
"I like this stuff," she said with glee
"Looks good on me. Don't you agree."
"It's who I am. I cannot change."
"No attitude would seem so strange."
And so He left her, let her be.
Nearby He waited patiently.
Each day she added to her mess,
Gossip, lies, small-mindedness.
Increasing in intensity,
Anger exponentially,
Addictions, strife, and rivalries
Casual immoralities
Fornication, lust and merriment
In her own way, she was very set.
And then one day it seemed too much
She realized she was out of touch
The Master seemed so far away
Her life in total disarray
Things are rough, life is tough
To call on Him, is it enough?
Suddenly at the door
He appeared, just like before
Grace and Mercy came through
This time, she knew what to do
"Come on in, I must confess,"
"I've made a life of one mess."
In no time at all,
He had cleaned up the hall
The secrets things of night
He brought to the light
The scars, the memories: away to the sea
The sin and addiction just so much debris
Gone are the remnants of hell
When Grace and Mercy come to dwell.
So remember Sister Sandy Stout
Who could not take the garbage out
Ask the Master. You won't lose face.
It's never too late for Mercy and Grace!
