Lord Teach Me How To Give

For 71/2 years I've longed to be free,
from behind those prison walls;
To go to a real church, to sing and pray,
live my life fulfulling the Lords call.

The wait was long and the journey was tough,
But my day finally came;
The door stood open, I was free to go,
To face a world that had completely changed.

I never knew that coming home,
was going to be so hard;
Nobody seems to understand me anymore,
Nobody except you Lord.

Sometimes I don't even understand myself,
I dont' know why I even try;
I just know I can't make it on my own,
and here are the reasons why.

You taught me how to Love Lord,
But sometimes I love too much;
You taught me how to give,
but sometimes I just can't give enough.

You showed me what its like
to live on the other side of the fence,
Locked away like an animal in a cage;
in a world that doesn't make any sense.

You let me share in other prisoners pain,
You let them share in mine;
You helped me to see the good in them all,
And look past their life of crime.

You placed within me the joy of a smile,
thats a light to all I meet;
A smile thats sometimes taken the wrong way,
and even led to some of my defeats.

You gave me a heart thats willing to help all,
No matter the race or creed;
To be a friend to even the friendless,
A listening ear to those who are in need.

I'd give my last dime to feed a hungry child,
or put clothes on someone who is cold;
I'd drive a thousand miles to help my dearest friend,
or bring comfort to a lonely soul.

Lord the problem is not in the things I do,
but the trust I have within;
For some don't appreciate help at all,
They're just out to get all they can.

So how do I know when enough is enough,
Am I wrong for the things I do;
For your word says to give to those who ask,
And pray for those who persecute you.

Love those who love you not,
to those who ask to borrow you should lend;
For we know not what tomorrow may bring,
One kind deed could lead to their repentenance of sin.

Lord you know my heart is in the right place,
Just help me to do it your way;
That  my giving may somehow show them your love,
And lead them to heaven someday.

Written: April 8, 2002