C E L L M A T E S

A ragged misfit stood before me.....he was a repulsive sight.
The stench around his body wafted to me in the night.
His beard, unkempt and dirty, added to his filthiness.
Although I tried to talk with him, his words were meaningless.

Like the madman of the Gerasenes* he often wore no clothes;
It never seemed to bother him...it was as though he didn't know.
My hopes of building kinship were crushed right from the start;
This man was in his own world, and I would not have a part.

For months, we shared a tiny cell -- just Bo and God and I;
I questioned why God put me there as endless days dragged by.
I longed to get away from Bo, but was powerless to leave;
I hoped and prayed that God would hear, and bring my soul relief.

But the longer we were together, the more I realized
God gave His Son to save this man; he had value in God's eyes.
The worth of man is priceless; for Bo, Christ was willing to die.
His redeeming blood was shed to save sinners, such as I.

I was lost till I met Christ, no closer to God than this man;
I tried to be "good enough" until God showed me no one can.
Rich man, poor man, preacher, bum -- all are lost without the Lord.
All must come to God by trusting Christ, as written in God's Word.

There was much more for me to learn from the man God chose to lend:
Bo was beyond relationship, but I could treat him as a friend.
Jesus said, "the least of these" are the ones we should serve in love;
Giving respect and honor to Bo was like giving to God above.

Humiliation was my companion as I struggled in that barren place.
Men were degraded, cruelty reigned; I would have despaired, but for God's grace.
Yet, my cellmate's state of dementia was a blessing in disguise;
Lonely hours spent with Jesus made Him more precious in my eyes.

Talking with God and reading His Word occupied the empty hours;
Like Christ when He was forsaken, I called upon God's power.
He drew me close and whispered in the darkness of the night;
Softly He reminded me: "When all is dark, I AM the Light,"

Jesus, the Light of the world, the One who lights every soul --
If anyone receives Him, Jesus forgives him and makes him whole.
As for me, I weathered this storm with God's arms holding me fast;
My constant Companion, my Savior and Friend, kept me safe till the storm clouds were passed.

If I descend into hell, He is there.....He has surrounded me behind and before.....
Psalm 139

*The madman of the Gerasenes, (also called Gadarenes)-
-Luke 8:26-39

The story of the demon-possessed man of the Gerasenes is posted on my blog--3/28/2012

See also my poem, "Accusations"