Polished Silver
Copyright 2003 by Jon Gill

For Dad and Mom, on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, August 26, 2003 (from Kuwait).

If you had told me back in ‘78
That we’d all see the things that have happened of late
And that all of these things would be part of your fate
I’d have told you your tale was too tall.
Who could have known then that Jerry and Cynthia would be
Beloved worldwide for their hospitality
Instead of on an island in the Caribbean Sea?
They’d have thought that they’d missed their call.

We see 20/20 when we look in hindsight
We know where we’ve failed or ran out in fright
But rarely we see all the things we did right
Good choices and faithful obedience
And as surely as we know that God’s graces abound
Silver looks rough when it is first found
But that’s why it must be removed from the ground
And polished to beautiful radiance!

From you two fruits God has squeezed this cider:
Workers of words, poets, and writers
Comics and antics, peacemakers and fighters
“Books, music, and the love of the Lord.”
And your lambs aren’t the only part of your fold
Legacies last long beyond when you are old
And your hearts and your hearth will never grow cold
Into many your lives have been poured.

Such great adventures you’ve had on this road
You’ve faithfully carried even more than your load
And silver can be polished even when it corrodes
And such is His way with our lives
And so, through His eyes, I hope you will see
The honor He gives you this anniversary
To you, August Twenty-six, Two Thousand and Three,
Mom and Dad – Happy Twenty-Five.


~Love, Jonathan

Back to Book 6

Home