Lasting Impression

It was the first pleasant morning
After the cold winter’s ice
When I joined the crowd in the park
All of us eager for the warmth of the sun
And yearning for spring’s early start

I began my routine on my usual path
Trying hard to keep up my pace
But my attention was caught by the glorious day
And the pleasant feel of the breeze on my face 

That’s when I saw her, the small silhouette
By the garden plot, sitting alone
How curious, I thought, that she would sit there
For the garden was but soil and stone

Quite unusual it was, that I would divert
From completing my prescribed routine
But something inside me just seemed to know
There was more here than what I was seeing

Her hair, shiny silver drawn tight in a bun
And her age was etched deep on her face
But still a sparkle could be seen in her eyes
A thing, the years had not erased.  

Her smile was warm and welcoming
Her voice was peaceful and sweet
With a motion, she bade me to join her
And without hesitation, I took a seat

We talked about sunshine, and joggers and bikes
The harsh winter and how it had passed
But after the usual pleasantries
There was still one question I needed to ask

Why do you sit here by this empty plot
A garden where no flowers grow?
I don’t understand, it looks like nothing to me
Please explain, I just want to know

Oh honey, she smiled as she took my hand
Bare ground is not what I see
I see roses and lilies and daisies and mums
All the flowers that soon, here will be

You see, I come here each year to remember
To think only the way God thinks of me
To look at others the way I look at this ground
Seeing only their potential beauty

She started from there to teach me of God
Of His wonderful matchless Word
How He so loved that He gave us His son
And I believed the truth that I heard

It’s been years since that day when I got saved
That day when my life was made whole
But I’ve never forgotten the lesson I learned
Or the woman who touched my soul

So now each year at the first signs of spring
I return to that same garden spot
Reminded to think the way God thinks of me
And perhaps, rescue a soul that is lost

						By Terri Lee