My Grandpa

My Grandpa was a steady man,
A pillar in our lives.
He had a steady voice and hand,
A faith for which we strive.

His work holds up and fills our homes,
His training wields our tools.
Respected everywhere he’s known,
He shaped our church and school.

His voice rang out with every song
And prayed with reverence deep.
And now he gets to join the throng
While we with sorrow weep.

He ran his race with faithfulness
But when the end seemed near,
He could not bear the thought of loss
Of all that he held dear.

He started thinking through his past
And ways he felt he’d failed. 
Then what he saw left him downcast–
By doubts he was assailed.

But when he turned his mind again
To promises of God,
He knew forgiveness for his sin,
And peace despite his flaws.

For it was not his sins God saw
But righteousness in Christ.
Anxiety could then withdraw, 
Repelled by sacrifice.

This was the blueprint of his life:
In weakness, just admit
Your sins; then bring them all to Christ.
It’s “Christ alone, that’s it.”

Image by Timon Studler