4.07.2017

but they do




the little girl sits alone and helpless
on the ground of a dirty subway entry
she just sits, holding out her hand
asking for money to buy some food
you know what you've been told
about beggars and thieves
- and orphaned children-
it's the same heartless words
that every visitor hears
but this time you just can't ignore
the feeling that you have
you've seen them before
but somehow, this time it's different
you drop two coins into her hand
as you pass by, she glances up
her dark eyes hold yours
and you can't help but stare into them
they hold such sorrow
such grief and pain
that a child's eyes should never see
but they do

you can't forget that little girl's eyes
as she sits alone
her skinny body shivering with cold
and her dark eyes staring at nothing
waiting for a penny
that might never come
you tell yourself "of course I'd do more
if I really knew how, if I really could
but that's just one- one little girl
and two coins that will be gone tomorrow
what good will they do?
nothing. not much. they don't matter"
but they do

weeks go by, but still
you can't forget that little girl's face
on the last day, you take the same route
hoping that you might see
that little girl a gain somehow
you don't even know what you'd do
if you saw her again, you just know
you have to do something
you approach the place where you last saw her
and eagerly look around
but it;s empty- no signs of life
except for the subway janitor, sweeping nearby
you know it's crazy, but you walk over
and ask about the little girl
the man says that just yesterday
a beggar child was taken away-
because she died
you just know it was her
and with silent tears, you turn and walk away
they don't care
but you do

years pass and you live your life
but somehow, you can never forget that day
then one day comes- it's your day at last
as you enter the golden gates
you're overjoyed and overwhelmed
suddenly, you see those eyes staring back at yours
and that little girl greets you
with all the gratefulness there ever was
you can't believe it
as she leads a group of children to you
five children you've never seen before
yet they're thanking you for setting them free
"from what?' you ask, "who are you?"
and they reply, "we're her siblings
and becuase of you, we are all here
that day, you gave us all something so precious 
you see, our sister ran home with the coins
and used them to buy some food that day
she met a missionary at the market
who came back to our hut and told us about Jesus
and just a few weeks later
our sister suddenly died-
but not without hope"

you're amazed and stunned
that just two little coins
had saved six precious lives
through God's grace
you thought it didn't matter
then you hear a Voice that says
"truly, when you do it for the least of these
you do it for Me
you thought it didn't matter
but they do- 
and I do"

~written 1.29.17


And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ // Matthew 25:40

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21 comments:

  1. I have no words. This was gorgeous and it touched me - thank you, Emily <3 <3.

    ~ Savannah
    scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank YOU for reading, Savannah! xxx

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    2. *hugs* <3

      (also, I tagged you - no pressure if you'd rather not do it, but here's the link ... http://scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-sunshine-blogger-award-x2.html)

      ~ Savannah
      scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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    3. Thanks so much for the tag! :)

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  2. What?! That was so sweet and powerful.

    I also like the conclusion. It seems often thoughts like this end with guilt: I should have done more. But this points out that even small acts God can use in mighty ways. It's so encouraging, and yet convicting at the same time. Thank-you. xx

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    1. Thank you, Jessica!

      I'm so glad, because that's exactly what God was showing me when I wrote it as well. It's so amazing to know that He can use anything for His glory- even things we consider too small or insignificant. xx

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  3. This was touching it was amazingly written!!

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  4. EMILY. WOW. I have no words. This is beautiful.

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  5. Wow, that was really powerful. Your ending was just perfect and inspiring. Thank you!
    -Mikayla-

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  6. Beautiful, Emily! Thank you for sharing. This topic is one that has been on my heart lately.

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    1. Thank you, Korin! It's a topic that's close to my heart as well, so I was really glad to finally be able write a poem about it. :)

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  7. Girlllll ok seriously this is gold. <333 WHERE DO YOU GET THE INSPIRATION FOR THESE??? I was reading this and told my (very musical) sister, 'Someone needs to write a song off of this.' God has given you a gift, Emily, and you are using it so well!!
    -Ariel

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    Replies
    1. Ariel... thank you so much, girl!! You Perrans are so sweet and encouraging. <33
      (Side note about inspiration: it comes from all over the place for me, but I actually wrote this one while reading the book No Longer A Slumdog [an amazing book, by the way]. I eventually just stopped and and had to write this in the middle of the book!)

      Thank you so much, Ariel! xx

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  8. WOWOWOWOWOWWOWOWOWOWOWOWW.
    WOW.
    That. ^ WAS AWESOME. =DDDDDDDDDD
    Jaidyn Elise

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  9. YOUR SO WELCOME!! =DD
    Jaidyn Elise
    <33333333333333

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  10. I ALMOST CRIED!!!

    It takes a lot to make me cry, and you almost got me. I love you for this post Emily. I love love love it. Amazing. Something like this would inspire me to write, but you finished it girl!!! Thank you for this post!


    Following

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Libby!!! Your comment literally made my day... <333 I'm always so honored when God uses my random little scribblings to inspire someone. ♥

      Thank you, and thanks again for your sweet comment! xxx

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hi there, and thanks so much for leaving a comment! thoughts about what you read here make my day and I respond to each one. please keep your words kind and respectful to other readers and to our Lord- and thank you for taking the time to read. xx

 
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