Luke 18:17-18

When I was a child
I wanted so much
to have someone to talk to
so I picked up some fluffy clouds from above
and bottled winds which came passing by
I pulled up some flowers which stood in my way
which looked like sunflowers and daisies at play
they squirmed and they fussed- my what a display
when I had extracted them up from the ground
the screaming ended because they were dead...
I jingled bronze pennies from my pocket
and took them out because I thought it would add value...
then I plucked some apples from some trees
avoided honey because I didn't want to upset any bees

I put them altogether
and out came what seemed to be
an imaginary friend whose features were that of an animal
or that of a person
I could make it out because I couldn't quite see

Then as it emerged yea it was a cloud
I didn't give it a name though...I just called it a cloud
it was a cloud because I often daydreamed as I stared in the skies
as my thoughts got lost in wonder as how clouds were so beautifully formed
and how the colours changed as the hours went by

When the streams of the rivers above
was tarnished with bronze with a layer of blue with the general's hem
yeah, his hem was a shade of purple
which was actually lilac...and his sandals were half opened...
the general was no one I knew
just someone who was charging the skies all day through
he was leading the winds in the air you see
with his steed who was just as windy as he

I saw the rest of the children around me
playing with their fathers with glee
then I noticed them smile happily
as a tear ran down my quiet and introvert cheeks

I often wondered to myself quietly...

I had no father
for I never knew him
if I had one what would it be like?
Would he have hugged me or teach me to ride my bike
would he have told me bedtime stories before he kissed me goodnight?
would he have a shield and a steel wrought sword in golden sheathe
would he have braved dragons up a hill to rescue me?
ha, my father was not even a brief memory
I never knew him nor he knew me

still I yearned for a friend as you see
I wanted to be loved unconditionally

I was taught to talk to Jesus in Heaven
but all for the sake of asking for things in night prayers
I was told that Jesus was someone who died on the cross for me
so that I could go to Heaven when I have finished my life here on earth
no one told me how special He is
nor how much pleasure it was to know Him
I was just told to talk to Him
and Mother Mary to intercede for me

I was taught to pray, be sorry and to forgive
to honor...listen and not deviate from the norm
for this reason I suffered for long
for all I did was to the ones who taught me faith ...wrong!

One day as I wandered again
in search for a friend to play
no one would play with me, I was told
because I was unattractive, unintelligent...and I was a deviant...and for once thought it be true...

Then I walked up a hill where the rivers of flowers streamed through
a valley of green grass beneath skies which were gold and pleasant colourful hues
the sheep on the hills were bleating
but my it was peaceful to hear
I walked towards the sheep and I saw a sheepdog whose fluffy appearance made
me draw nearer
as I scratched its canine ears

Then I heard a wooden staff hit the ground
I heard it become quite loud
The winds and the creatures ceased making sound
and then I drew upwards and I found
A beautiful man in white robes
Whose countenance is most glorious
His hair was crowned with kingly gold
His sash of red was strung with a thread of string
that too was gold...

When I shrunk with fear I knelt down but He said
"Rise up, and lift your head..."
I saw Jesus the Man and God I was taught to pray to
He is real and real as can be
Form of flesh, yes blood run through His vessels
Yes, the Lord Jesus God Saviour is really real...and true
His flesh had provided me bread
and His blood had given me wine

He smiled and then said to me
"Do not be afraid...child draw to Me..."
I saw Him standing there so gloriously
I saw Him standing there so handsomely...

He said "Do not fear... for I am your candle
which burns brightly in the dread of night
I am the castle which holds you most safe
though the arrows of fire come blazing at night
I shall prevent them from coming to you
you are safe in My arms for I shall always protect you
I shall bless you forever...in all that you do
I shall love you with all My heart...this I promise you...

Come lay your head on My sovereign breast
yes, find in Me your Heavenly rest
I am your comfort...yes I am yours and you are Mine
forever in love our spirits are bound...

What the world ceases to understand
prayer and faith though going hand in hand
though they complement each other in persistence
no one can ...no man can...ever find the Son of Man
lest he comes with the faith of a little child

Religion is not a series of practise
which people think it's like acing a test
Religion is a beginning of something richer
faith and prayer is not entirely accomplished if you do not surrender your all to Me

Children find Me because they believe
that I am their confidant and I am their Friend
The downcast and the forgotten believe with childlike faith
so they can see Me
they can see Me because they believe that religion
is not just praying and faith but a relationship with Me...."

The winds of the fields increased
but in a persistent volume as it made the flowers in the fields
which were fresh pressed to become creased
the hour upon the fields felt as though it had ceased
I stood just still because awe had arrested me whole...

Jesus held me quite tenderly
and He cradled me in His arms...

He said "Unless you become like a little child
you cannot enter the Kingdom of God..."

I cried...inside I cried quietly
the Lord Jesus bent down to kiss where my tears had streamed
He held me in a cradle and I felt finally
I was at home...for the very first time
He is warm and I could hear His heart beat
quite like a psalm in the form of drums drumming
He lay more kisses and He held me so close
I never felt more at home in all of my life

He said "Never mind what the world says
I shall be with you for always
I love you and My love is forever
do not fear I am unto you very near
I love you more than all the world
I love you more than anything that I came down
to take your sins away that you and I be forever one
now, now...be at ease don't be sad anymore
I am with you...I- the Lord and your God...

I shall guide you and I am your hope in your despair
I shall hear you in all of your prayers
I shall deliver you from every evil snares
I shall hold you ever so near...
I shall be with you till the end of time
I shall bring you home to Heaven when I come for the second time...
We shall sing and we shall rejoice
with all the others whom are brought to Me from Mine and your Heavenly Father's hands...
Be still and know I am God
yea, I am your shepherd and I am your Lord..."

I once hungered for friends by the hoard
but now the few I have are blessings from the Lord
the most important thing I have is the most valuable treasure of all...
the most glorious joys of joys beyond measure ...yes...I love Him most of all...
Christ Jesus my Sovereign Lord
My Shepherd, my Redeemer, Salvation and God of all...

I no longer form imaginary friends
for I know that the Son of Man
hears me when I call His Holy Name
I bear His crest so I shall never be brought to shame
He is mine and I am His
We are His and We bear His name so we are His forever to claim

do not go wandering for things which lasts only for a while
look for God Whose love and faithfulness shall be the most satisfying of all
and forever it shall last....