At the Graveside of Maybe Later
For years his family had begged him to consider Christ,
But he’d ignored their pleas as by sin he was enticed.
His friends all prayed, for they knew that he was wrong.
Oh, the hours they spent trying to bring his heart along.
But he didn’t need this God of whom they spoke about.
He was smart and he was confident he’d work it out.
Many people told him that his thoughts were out of line.
But he just ignored them, so confident that he was fine.
Maybe later, was his quick reply when told of his sin.
Maybe later I’ll change my ways and let the Savior in.
Someday when I’m older, better educated I will be.
Maybe then I’ll let the Savior in. We’ll just have to see.
God brought this man across my path one day in time.
As we talked about the Lord this man’s heart was prime.
He seemed so open and so I invited him to stop and pray.
But maybe later was his answer – maybe some other day.
For years I witnessed to him and yet it seemed no point.
For the words, maybe later, would always disappoint.
Each time he’d hear the Word of God he’d make his claim.
Maybe later I’ll believe in Jesus – Maybe later on His name.
It seemed each time he said it, it meant less than before.
Maybe later, he would smile shyly, I’ll give in to the Lord.
Family all around him knew this promise was a fraud,
For maybe later was his way of circumnavigating God.
His father lying on his death bed heard his son sadly say,
“Maybe later dad I’ll trust your Lord, just not today!”
Maybe later I’ll take him serious, as you have all my life.
Maybe later I’ll listen to the pleading from my Godly wife.
Maybe later I’ll change my mind and Christ I will receive.
Maybe later I’ll listen to that preacher and I’ll believe.
But in the meantime, I don’t think there is need for change.
My life is under control and it is something I can arrange.
Then one day he found himself in the church sitting in the pew.
While everybody prayed, he knew what he would do.
He’d squirm and fidget and tell the Spirit to leave him alone.
Maybe later he would allow Christ’s precious blood to atone.
But not now, it would inconvenience him and cause distress.
Maybe later, he’d decide to receive Jesus, and his sin confess.
He’d watched as friends who loved him tried to lead him.
But then would come, that maybe later answer, always grim.
None could persuade him that today he must find salvation,
For he would say it – maybe later, much to their frustration.
The preacher called on him and shared the gospel story.
For one brief moment he was touched and he felt the glory.
But like always, his heart simply could not stay on task.
Give me a couple days to think about it he would ask.
Maybe later I’ll see it your way. Maybe preacher, someday.
Maybe later I’ll receive your Jesus and all your fears allay.
Today I walked through a graveyard, stopping long at a stone.
Engraved on that marker was my friend’s name - and his alone.
None lay beside him, for he had died a death so premature.
The scene was one of broken heartedness and so demure.
Taken in the prime of life by sad, unexpected circumstances,
I knew in my heart that he regretted having taken chances.
For now it was too late, and maybe later – well it had come,
And to the cold hand of death my dear friend had succumb.
Today I walked by the grave of maybe later and I cried a tear.
For maybe later had been wrong, though it seemed sincere.
He’d put off till tomorrow what he should have done today,
And now for an eternity, sin’s penalty my friend would pay.
I remembered those moments when his heart would fail,
And that complacent attitude of, maybe later, would prevail.
I shed my tears and turned to walk away in sad grief of heart.
Suddenly standing there, maybe later didn’t sound so smart.
How about you my friend? Are you waiting for another day?
Is maybe later something that friend’s might hear you say?
Is maybe later that down pat answer that you have to give?
After all, you’re very sure that there’s plenty of life left to live.
But what if you were wrong and your friends’ words were true.
What if tonight the cold hand of death came hunting you?
Consider that the danger of putting off salvation is far greater.
For today I wept, standing at the graveside of maybe later.
© 2010 by David I Wright
writtenwright@hotmail.com
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David
Wright
East Earl
, PA
United States
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