My Gratitude To God Poem by Dr John Celes

I'm not among the millions sadly caught
In natural disasters and accidents,
By grace of God and may be, some foresight;
I owe my gratitude to Almighty.

God did not give me strange a disease yet,
As punishment despite my sinfulness;
God has not put me in the docks till now,
But has been kinder than I ev'r deserved.

I am not one of those victims of flood,
Earth-quake, mud-slides, tornadoes and the like;
I have not been unfortunate like some;
Has He not been so merciful to me?

How many times, I've gone astray in life?
How many times I've sinned repeatedly?
How many times I was wicked in heart?
Yet, God ignored the mistakes of my past.

As I am nearing my first retirement,
And I enter my senescence as well,
I long to thank my God with all my heart,
Repenting for my every grievous fault.

I could have led a better life, I feel;
There is no use brooding about the past;
O God, give me some days to make amends,
And make my soul purer as per thy will.

I know not how to thank thee for thy grace;
I tried to be a saint but simply couldn't;
I tried to stay sin-free but fell victim;
You held my hand whenev'r I slipped and fell.

Thank you God for the miracles you wrought;
I'm sorry for my trespasses, O God;
Forgive me God and take me to thyself.
Do lead me to thine heavenly abode.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-10-2014