Another Mystery Along The Way
We all have strange, mysterious and wonderful stories to tell as we journey down this path we know as the narrow way, and this is one of mine from the late 1980s…
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (Acts 17:20)
I had stopped at a local Mexican restaurant in Union City, California on my way home from work; and unbeknownst to me while I waited for my take-out order, a young man was busily writing a poem.
As I left, he came running after me in the parking lot and handed me a folded up placemat saying, “This is for you,” and then he walked away.
The image at the top of this blog post is a photo of the framed, unfolded placemat.
The following is the poem that was written on the placemat (other than being center-justified, it is unedited):
For Whom Do You Wait
For whom do you wait?
Is it for some strong love, you’ve never seen before?
Or is it perhaps a long held love you adore?
Or perhaps is it more?
Perhaps the light to lead you on your way,
gently, hand in hand, so that you need not
stand,
alone.
For whom do you wait?
Is it for the path you do not know?
Is it for Straight but true Direction?
Is it for one who spells perfection,
Or perhaps merely protection?
For whom do you wait?
Is it for a Golden Gate,
Is it perhaps too late?
For whom do you wait?
Has your time been to close to hate?
Have you been to long in such a state,
I ask for whom do you wait?
I hope you find your key to
Whatever golden gate opens to your dreams,
and you find the cherished, chastened,
Cherub, that you seem to seek,
But allways find the gold behind,
the blinds that make you wait.
J.V.M.
I have carried this amazing piece around with me, written to me by a total stranger more than thirty years ago, always wondering why someone would sit in a restaurant writing these personal words to another total stranger; or perhaps we weren’t really strangers at all?
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Heb 13:2)
I’ve always been fascinated by the above verse, especially because this happened to me at least ten years before I ever became a Christian. It is much like the time I acquired a Bible when I was helping a relative move, and kept it on my bookshelf for twenty-five years before I ever became a Christian.
God really does work in mysterious ways.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (1Cor 2:7)
I can’t remember exactly when this all happened or what the young man looked like, but it left an indelible impression on me. I believe it took place circa 1987-1990 when I owned a small shop, Yogurt Plus, in Alameda, California. I tried to find the Mexican restaurant on Google Maps but to no avail. The area looks completely different now.
I am still not sure what to make of it all; but I must confess, that I have wondered if “J.V.M.” stands for “Jesus Visited Me”.
So, for whom do I wait? I wait on the Lord…
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Ps 27:14)
For a most-helpful guide (pdf) to the narrow way and authentic salvation—by a man who walked it to the end—click here: BeSureYouAreSaved.com
Wonderful poem! Or more like a whisper from an angel unaware… We all need words of encouragement daily. And all the more so when one is on the true walk of salvation.
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Thank you for the confirmation and your words of encouragement as well!
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What a lovely, thought-provoking poem. Perhaps the writer noticed a single woman alone in a restaurant and thought you might be waiting for the love of your life, but little did he know that one day you would be willing to cast carnal love aside as you wait for the “Love” of the universe. I can see why you would hold on to this for so long. And as an added bonus you would find a God-ordained love as well!
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It’s nice to have another person’s take on this. So few have true understanding and I have been so blessed by those few who travel here and bother to make a comment. Thank you.
Love (Agape) is the answer and all the love in the world cannot compare to the Divine Love of God; it’s not possible. And so I wait for that joy unspeakable to occur once Jesus reveals Himself and offers me the way out of this prison we call “The World.”
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1John 3:1)
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