Eternal Kingdom

I saw her pause, lean on her cane

to listen to another person in pain,

offering the hurt to share.

I glimpsed her bouquet of garden flowers

as she entered a sick room at visiting hours,

bringing needed comfort and care.

Once more, I viewed as she bowed to pray

beside the casket of one gone away,

though she was no blood kin.

And later, when she cradled a sleeping newborn,

she said to his mother, who seemed tired and worn,

“What a blessing your family has been.”

At her funeral I offered my own silent prayer,

as I heard the praise for this life that shared

our Lord’s view of human worth.

There I asked Him to guide my footsteps each day

so the actions I take, the words that I say

will remain when I’m gone from this earth.

-Chris Ahlemann