Wearing A Hat Poem by Randy McClave

There he was wearing a hat
In my church alone in a pew there he sat,
As I looked at him I was shocked
Him I thought should be mocked.
I then wondered if also he wore torn jeans
I wonder if they were clean,
My heart just went aghast
At the outward appearance the stranger did broadcast.
He was wearing a hat in the house of the Lord
I was stunned and angry and floored,
I then became one of those judgmental old men
Who pointed out everyone else's sin.
I was raised in church where we wore our finest clothes
Where all dignified women scented like a rose,
And all men wore their favorite cologne
And their respect to the Lord our God was shown.
As our pastor then led us all in prayer
I couldn't help, but at the stranger I did judge and stare
I thought, ‘didn't that stranger know any better'
I wonder if he'll be in our next church letter.
Then I felt God placed his hand upon my very spirit
The thoughts I had he wanted to clear it,
Then in my mind a reasoning God did sow
Maybe the stranger didn't even know.
Maybe today is his very first day ever sober
As I sat in church that early October,
Maybe today is the first day he walked through a churches door
Maybe all that he had to wear, is what he wore.
Then the Lord opened my judgmental eyes
That stranger as all others is God's greatest prize,
Then I smiled and I also shed a tear
I then thanked God that the stranger wearing the hat was here.

Randy L. McClave