Poetry

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My Father’s leading
© By Robert Schaetzle Sr.

Growing up I remember my father’s words to lead
Wisdom with caution was his preface to me
Years of growing, much learning indeed

Living, was not thought of in seconds of time
I viewed my father as one might say, in his prime
Who was gentle, patient in heart, and kind

With strong stubborn determination, he persevered
His own childhood years, of heartache and loss
Brought lessons of hope and dreams, not without cost

His appreciation for God’s creation of nature’s show
Nurtured along childhood years, by a caring uncle
His own dad’s passing at the age eleven, left sorrow

Knowing of God’s intent of creation and design
The Psalmist wrote, “O Lord, knowest it altogether”
Father’s leading would plant God’s gentleness forever

Looking back today, his height was small
His steel strong hand, his grip in mine, dare I fall
Muscular, sure and trim, my protector, when I’d call


Images of past, bring more than reflections of memory
Revelations of promise, courage for growing
His son’s love will be kept, not discarded away

Sharing my father’s leading, holding his legacy
Revealing the Creator’s heart, growing from above
Knowing more now, because of my father’s love

Living in small quarters, just a toddler was I
Mom, dad, sister, my start for growing
To hold his grip, became strength in my eye

Paralysis from birth, I would grow, no hesitation
Challenges were many because of my affliction
Challenges set God’s patience, from above

True were the seasons from our Lord
Fondness grew, with discoveries of God’s creation
For sure His love, without reservation

Seasons of summer leaves that lined our street
Winter trees, would glisten, with snow and ice
Beauty from moon, and stars, on cold winter night

A father’s favor for created things from above
They too, influenced my growing from his leading
Zeal for scouting, amplified by nature’s seedling

Physical limits of affliction I would struggle
But fathers leading, brought hope, not sorrow
Boating, fishing, shooting bow and arrow

Wanting not to be left out, of things kids did
Brought stubborn determination in my learning
To fashion things out, brought conquest and yearning

A young boy’s hero, was my father to me
Observing prowess of my fathers mechanical skill
Diligent was he, to manufacture with steel

Hours by his side, in his shop by day
Watching him build his rolling machine
I’d brag of my dad, to some extreme



Putting together this rolling machine
I began to learn steadfast lessons
Sharing, in my dad’s rolling machine

Steadfast diligence, I would learn from dad
Not to stop, for God’s course will show my way
Patience and perseverance, would be my stay

How wonderful it is, how God leads us along
Through my dad’s leading, wisdom from above
Brought visions and hope, deep roots of love

Teen years, and high school, brought more challenge
Moving out west to a culture unknown
From things familiar, secure where I was born

A father’s determination, in things not understood
To keep family together, secure, seemed to fade
Leaving some family, with friends, that I played

Much new challenge, still a father’s gentle leading
Health concern again, now mom, not mine
Still, this father’s hand, kept strong, with time

Years now past, with family of my own,
Strength, perseverance, all with my father’s leading
Five grown children I have, love’s full measure

How proud he would be, my dad of steel
His faithful love, his strong hand, always keeping
Now with our Lord, still, I find my father’s leading

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