Because Actions Speak Louder Than Words...

Originally I entitled this poem

Sermon to Poets and Silver-tongued Scribes

but that felt a bit harsh 

and its connotation a bit off the mark

so I changed it😅

(all that to say, words ring hollow

without rubber-meets-road corroboration!)

Bit of satire to self today, as well as

all of us struggling with easier talked than walked!

Below, is a glimpse of the scenery of general muddled mayhem 

of many hours of mental workouts,

frustrated/vexed scribbles 

and mumbled prayer-stumble!!

Yet all of this can never take the place of

a single step to aid/accompany a fellow-traveler! 

(lest I/we forget)

My hope is that here and there a poem hits home 

like a hug that needs no explanation

and an act of kindness tendered in ink!

I’d take a stumbling sermon lived

Over a smooth rehearsal, talked

And if I had to choose a gift

I’d take mercy’s second mile, walked

I’d take the ink of honest toil

Over spouted theology

And if I had to choose love’s spoil

I’d take a friendly cup of tea

I’d take the smallest gentle deed

Above intent, pious and grand

And if I had to choose my need

I’d take an earnest helping hand

The pen, though mightier than sword

Is not a supple substitute

For living out God’s Holy Word

Until the branch is bent with fruit

Sermons are not misunderstood

When preached in meek obedience

Better than pulpits carved of wood

Are stepping stones of reverence

And in the thick and thin of cost

Midst love’s ado of This and That

Better a kindness-buoy tossed

Than a poetic lariat

The fine art of rhythm and rhyme

Can kindle senses with delight

But cannot take the place of Time

Spent on knees in the dead of night

And, lest words miss the sacred mark

Of pure religion undefiled

Better prayer’s closet in the dark

Than podiums where crowds go wild

© Janet Martin

1 John 3:18 ESV

Little children, let us not love in word or talk

but in deed and in truth.