Once, on Sundays, around this land
Bells rang from steeples small and grand
They called to people all around –
To church and to God’s holy ground.
~
They called to worshiping the Lord
To praying, preaching of the Word.
They called to child and old alike,
To chase the goal of Jesus Christ.
~
Now, whistles blow from far away
Call child and parent to obey.
Coach and trainer turned to preachers
Asked to trade the pews for bleachers.
~
But days will come – and come they must
When coaches leave and trophies rust,
When children grow and need their God.
Please, don’t trade holy ground for sod.
~
(Heidi Viars, 2013)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:23-25 ~ ESV
Amen! I’ve been reading Jeremiah, and your poem is reminiscent of how we can get distracted and neglect our relationship with God or fail to worship Him, choosing lesser things instead. Thank you for the reminder to consider the eternal and temporary.
Lol, “coaches leave and trophies rust” looooove it!
Thanks for your visit, dear one!
You’ve done it again, Heidi–written an Insightful, and thought-provoking poem with artful creativity! It speaks powerful truth!
Thank you, Nancy … for coming by and blessing me with your kind words.
Ya I don’t know why we have chosen Sunday to have football games. I do like sports but I will never miss church because of it. It’s ashamed so many players are missing church.
Thank you, Stephen, for visiting!
Powerful! God bless you!
Thank you, Emerald~
Heidi, there is much wisdom in your warning. I have heard a mother wish she had not encouraged her kids in sports so much – they replaced God with it and have not returned – yet; the trophies now collect dust.
Blessings ~ Wendy
It’s so hard to withstand the draw from the culture … but those early years are so important! Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings to you!
Thanks for saying what needs to be said! Amen, sister!
Thanks for the visit~ Blessings to you!
Amen, Heidi. Great thoughts.
Thank you, Sue!
😃
How beautiful, Heidi, as you end this thoughtful piece with children ( us all!) growing and needing our God. Thank you and God bless you bunches!
Thanks Debbie, for coming by. God bless you bunches, dear sister!
Wow, that’s excellent–painfully true, and so well written. God bless you BIG!
Thanks Caddo, I always love seeing you pop up (just make sure your koala bear is up on his vaccines!!! 🙂 )
Ohh, I hadn’t thought of that…ai yai yai, thanks!
Oh! It saddens me so when I see parents taking their kids to sporting events on Sundays instead of church. This was wonderful, Heidi. As always, your talent and heart shine through!!
It’s all so short lived … contrary to the Lord! Bless you and thank you for visiting!
Sports as a god! That and so many other gods, but only ONE TRUE GOD!
Indeed, just One! Thanks for stopping by Rosemary!