"And A Little Child Shall Lead Them"
In this story-poem, the 2 main characters are a teacher and a little girl.  The teacher's question seems to mock Christianity, but I think in his heart, he's seeking for answers to life's questions.  The students follow his lead by giving amusing answers.  Then a certain little girl speaks up; he has seen this child on the playground, heard her sing songs like "My sins are blotted out, I know;"   She even keeps a little Bible on her school-desk.

A question was written with chalk on a board,
"Where are we all going from here?"
Some cheerful suggestions came forth from all sides,
Then one voice rang out loud and clear.

"Teacher, I know!" called a thin little waif.
"Now, child, for your soul, you're not liable."
"But, Teacher, we all sin, it says so right here.
The answer is found in the Bible."

"What? Child, are you sure?
Is there any at all who's done good and
is ready to die?  any who's done enough good
in this world?   I've tried my best--Could it be I?

"Oh, Teacher, I'm sorry, but there is not one
who can balance his scale of sin.
It stands like a wall between us and our God,
and separates people from Him."

The teacher was stricken with guilt and remorse;
He covered his face with his hands.
"This child," he thought, "with authority speaks.
I'm still guilty-- now I understand."

Then he felt a small hand gently touching his own,
as the child drew near to his side.
"Dearest Teacher, you cannot make up for your sins,
but they were forgiven when God's own Son died."

The teacher met her gaze, his eyes wet with tears,
feeling hope as he saw her sweet face.
"But how can it be?  I have done so much wrong.
Surely, my own debt I have to erase."

"No, Teacher, the Bible says He paid the price
when He died on the cross for our sin.
All you have to do is believe it is true ,
repent, and invite Jesus in.
It says this is written so that you may know
and believe in the Name of the Son.
He died for your sin, and in three days arose.
He's the Savior!  Yes, sir, He's the one!"

"So, you see, it's not hard to know where you will go,
if you're ready to turn to Him now.
Please, don't be afraid to admit you are lost;
He loves you so much that He made you this vow:
'If any man come to the door when I knock;
If he'll open it, I will come in.
If any repent and believe in My Name,
I will receive Him and forgive all his sin.
My Father will be a true Father to him,
and I'll be his Savior and Friend;
Someday he will live in heaven with me,
when his life on this old earth shall end.'"

The teacher could feel the weight of the world,
as his sins he began to recall.
Forgetting the classroom, the students, the time,
he named them and tried to remember them all.
But his heart was near breaking to think of God's Son,
and the guilt He was willing to bear,
and he handed the burden to Jesus, the Christ,
as he quietly whispered a sinner's prayer:

"Dear God, I can hardly believe it is true ,
but this child says it's all in Your Word.
I remember once hearing,
'A child shall lead them,'  I thought it so sweet when I heard.
And now it's come true , and the faith of a child
is the kind of faith I want today.
Please help me believe;
God, I want to receive--
I want Jesus in my life today!"

How would you categorize this poem?  I placed it under the heading, "Action/Thriller."  The teacher has transferred his trust from his own good deeds to the completed action of the Savior of all men, Jesus Christ, God's only Son.  This is just the beginning.  The thrill of being a child of God has only begun.  He will find his new life full of surprises and thrills.  It is written, "Taste and see that the Lord is good."  One who has not called on Jesus has little perception of the excitement and the joys of knowing Him.  Understanding of Scriptures and the anticipation of a forever home in heaven with God are but two of the revealed gifts for a believer.  Find out for yourself....For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.....The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.