Dedicated to Dr. Jim Wood who read this poem to me...

SEARCHING
Clayton Anderson Bell

I searched for God in buildings, then in caves of stone.
I listened to those in raiments, chanting words unknown.
“Where are you God?” I cried, then came a muted tone.
“Follow your heart to a distant land, rise, and go alone.”
I traveled to the Holy land, a path now overgrown.

There I met a man, on the shores of Galilee.
We stopped and started talking; it was just him and me.
“Come, sit upon this log” he said, that was fine I did agree.
I noticed that the shape was odd, a different type of tree.
It seemed to form a symbol then, just reaching out to me.

I noticed reddish stains appeared, not covered by the bark.
They seemed to form a pattern, say about two arms apart.
Yet stranger still was where He sat, a body’s length to start.
Two stains more of reddish hue, brought tremor to my heart.
He said, “I’ll just rest awhile before we must depart”.

He slept upon the twisted wood, such peace I’d never seen.
It was as though He called to me, yet no spoken word between.
Pick up this tree and follow for a life much more serene.
Leave behind all care and woe, help others join the scene.
I fought the urge to join him, “I’m not worthy of your team”.

He held me in His arms that day, and stroked my weary brow.
He told me of his love for all, His Father taught Him how.
“It matters not if you have sinned, you are forgiven now”.
I fell and kissed his blood stained feet, I rose again somehow.
My search for God is over, I walk with Jesus now.