Lives Lived With Gratitude
by Michael Doyle

Two words received along the journey
Ten men found their way to destiny
Samaritans and Jews knew their enmity
Except where leprosy was the common enemy

Struck with this sort of a disease
As they slowly died, putting others ill at ease
They were seen as unclean, until Jesus came to town
And gave even to the least of them, His victory crown

In these times, pity and mercy raised above fear
Yet, even here in this no man's land, hope persevered
As the fingers of God brought the needed healing
That soon to the priests, the lepers would be revealing

Obedience precedes the miracles found in the valley
Giving truth that takes us along the way of the journey
The miracles of faith lay on adversity's other side
Healing as we go along, leaving behind our foolish pride

Hear these words and hold them in great contemplation
About the meaning that becomes and is from our redemption
Paralyzed in promises that bring about needed gratitude
That comes from lowest to highest, in right attitude

We often find that the least likely praise God in His due
Overwhelmed by the blessings as are reborn as if anew
Prayers needed become answered, as these often are
But require sufficient faith to take us very far

In this world of too much taking, there is Hell in every soul
It is the self-evidence of indulgence and lack of self-control
Our lives should be as if clay molded by our gratitude
Where it is that life takes us in every layer of latitude

We need to wear thank yous on our lips and hearts of love
With God's eyes of burning fire drawn from Heaven above
We must live each moment as if in God's loving embrace
Loving as much as we are forgiven by God's holy grace

When we fall short of God's goodness, we often are astray
Which is why God gives us the course and the will to stay
Returning the love toward all as that we were and are given
Knowing that each of us have had the passage of being forgiven

It's a hard choice between good and evil with true conviction
As we increase in Him while decreasing our willful rejection
Allowing thankfulness given in love, life, and with praise
To become a shared story told and lived throughout our days

My God and our God is a supernatural God of holy power
Agreed on as lived in every second of our every hour
He is to be praised with the most earnest of enthusiasm
That models that natural gratitude behind our optimism

We live the praise of our God, in the lives we live today
As if there were no tomorrow, only today and yesterday
Living life with the holy love that comes from right attitude
Redeemed as we are, and filled with our earnest gratitude

(c) July 10, 2023   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved