I Saw The Lord Smile That Day Poem by Nathan Thompson

I saw the Lord smile that day, on the poor and the oppressed,
I saw with my own eyes the way one family was richly blessed.

First the foundation, strong and bold, reminded me of His love untold.

The wooden studs placed neatly in a row, hammered together with haste, and care,
each pounding nail and saw-cut board showed the world that He was there.
The walls were raised, their corners buttressed,
stud and soffitt, bolt and gable,
'Come all! ' to the rhythm of the percussion-
He will show us that HE is able!

Jesus said 'In my Father's house are many mansions.'
We pound, we nail, we toil, with passion.
He said 'I go to prepare a place for you, ' but where He goes we cannot now follow,
for we know that before we can reap the harvest, we first must sow.

The sun beats down now upon our work, the sweat from our brows swiftly dripping,
every wallboard, every sheet, every nail becomes a testimony
to HIS great Kingdom, that HE is building.

The Lord looked down at the work of our hands-
the roof boards, the rafters, the windows, the flashing.
He said 'Trust in me, and I will supply your needs.'
He smiled upon us, as He opened His loving hand of blessing.

And as we looked upon those hands- the hands scarred by pounding stake,
we remembered He was nailed upon such a board.............
and it made our hearts ache.

As we spackled and smoothed each last panel, the Lord showed His provision for all that day.
As we gathered 'round our finished work and dedicated it to the Lord, I longed to hear Him say...
'Well done good and faithful servant! For when I was hungry, you fed me.
When I was thirsty, you gave drink.
When I was naked, you clothed me.
When I was in prison, you visited me.'

Lord, we went to be a blessing to one family less fortunate.
We sang, we worked hard, and we prayed.
Your word says 'Don't be just hearers of the word, but doers also.'
By doing good for others, we, ourselves received the blessing when we followed, and obeyed.

Yes, I saw the Lord smile that day, upon those who had been poor and oppressed.
I saw with my own eyes the way all of us were richly blessed.
And as I hugged the children who now had a new home, and wiped the tears from their eyes,
He whispered 'I go to build a place for YOU in my Kingdom, and I will return for you,
that you may be with me, always.'