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Send the saints to all the lands
To gather in the flock
It seems from where the Son now stands
It's almost Heaven o'clock...
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THE FISHERMAN
He'd always been a fisherman, he knew the waters well
He did quite well at this pursuit as history will tell
Children watched intently at the seaman's knots he tied
And many mouths would feed upon the bounty he'd provide
Sometimes the children traveled with him to the shore
They would cast the waters with him until their backs were sore
Though patience is a virtue, at times the man would curse
When the catch of a day before would turn from bad to worse
You see, sin was not a stranger to this man who held the rod
Until one day he met another known as the son of God
Now his life was changed as he followed Jesus' ways
The teachings of this man called Christ would fill his many days
The man who walked on water would become his greatest friend
He vowed that He'd be with him always through the thick and thin
This promise that he made the man, He sealed upon a cross
Belief in Him and the blood He spilled would count as gain, not loss
I'm speaking not of the Bible's Peter, but another man I know
A man I'm proud to call my dad who passed on not long ago
And the promise Jesus made all men, to pave for them a way
Assures me Dad is angling with Him in eternity today
So Dad, though you can't hear me, as those wondrous seas you float
Save some places for us in Heaven's golden boat
Randy-April 1994
Dedicated to my Dad, Russell (Duke) Richmond
Apr. 3, 1927 - Dec. 28, 1993
U.S. Navy vet, my fishing partner, and father extraordinaire!
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YONDER HILL
I stopped a stranger in the street and asked where I could find
A place to cool and rest my feet... "Yonder" he replied.
"It's where I go when I am warm or when my back is sore"
"It offers shelter from the storm and oftentimes much more."
I asked him what he meant by that as he pointed out the hill
"It will be time well spent my friend," "Go now and have your fill."
He shook my hand and took his leave, I watched him walk away
I wiped my brow off with my sleeve, it had been an awful day.
I slowly climbed up to the spot where the man had said to go
I noticed it was no longer hot, and a breeze began to blow.
I laid my head against the roots of a gnarled and grizzled tree
I bent down to remove my boots and let my feet be free
Though it looked quite plain and ordinary, this seemed a special place
Where one could linger long and tarry when sunlight touched his face.
Then I closed my eyes and soon was deep within a weary dream
I thought I heard through my sleep a mother's haunting scream.
I remember only waking, bathed in early morning light
To the smell of fresh bread baking and that all had been set right.
I can't recall when I have felt more refreshed or revived
I got down to my knees and knelt and thanked God I was alive.
When I got back to town, the stranger told me on the road
"It looked as you were coming down, that you walked with lighter load."
I said, "I feel as if I've been reborn, but that someone else had died."
"It's always that way, making new from the worn on Calvary," he replied.
Randy Richmond June 6, 2000
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