A few of you were at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference when I quoted this poem that I wrote last summer.  We laughed SO hard!  I wrote this with all humor and never read it to anyone except my mother (who loves me even in my carnal state) until that day in July in Montrose.  If you’re feeling a tad grumpy, a little irritated at “the man in the mirror” hang on. 

This face that you see

Is not what will be

I’m destined for heaven

And eternity

His glory will shine

All my wrinkles away

Clear skin like that model

On Oil of Olay!

These teeth that you see

Are not what will be

I’m destined for heaven,

Not one cavity!

My teeth won’t need whitened,

Filled, or replaced.

That’s how I’ll be smiling

When I see His face!

This body you see

Is not what will be

I’m destined for heaven

No fat rolls on me!

St. Peter’s not standing

With scales at the gate.

Or writing down fat grams

Of all that I ate.

No one will complain,

“My nose is too big!”

Or want hair replacement,

Extender, or wig.

My face will be glowing!

Redeemed!  Without sin!

I won’t need to shop

For the robe that I’m in.

So why do I pick up

These cares on the earth?

And let them determine

My value and worth?

My makeup, my hairdo

My modern attire

Like everything else will

Be tried in the fire.

By now I should know that

There’s going to be trouble

If all of my works here are

Wood, hay, and stubble.

Money and beauty?

My face on TV?

Up on the stage

For people to see?

DOWN with the idols

And self-adoration

I will not be swayed

By the sins of my nation.

And so I’ve determined

To live my life’s story

And go for the gold,

That crown of God’s glory.

I’ll (write) live for the cross,

The Christ, and the Bible,

And shake myself loose

From American Idol.

The “me” that you see

Is not what will be

I’m destined for glory

Because of that tree.

My body perfected,

My face full of light,

Dressed in His glory,

Oh, wonderful sight!

O heart, dark and fearful

Consider that tree,

Its message its power

But don’t look at me!

For I shall be changed

When my soul leaves this earth

To join heaven’s family,

A glorious re-birth.

O, Look to the cross!

See your sins nailed up there.

Deprived of their power,

Deprived of their snare.

There you are pardoned,

Your sins thrown away.

Your enemies vanquished,

Disarmed, and dismayed!

My Lord, in his triumph,

His blood, and His name

Finished my faith

Despising the shame.

Enduring the cross

For sinners like me,

Surrounded by mockers

And hostility.

The voice of the wicked

Cried out for His pain,

Refused to be quiet

Until He was slain.

And when others scatter

Or hide in their fear

I pray now for courage

To ever stay near

The cross, for its power

Forever will be

Messiah who suffered

Obediently.

Jesus, my Savior,

My love and my friend,

I pledge my allegiance

To You to the end.

Though wars rage about me

Wherever I am

I will overcome

By the blood of the Lamb

And my testimony

Forever will be

That I am for Jesus

And HE is for ME.