A country’s citizens are like
Marbles thrown carelessly
Into a boy’s pocket;
Medals to flaunt;
Invoking patriotism;
Expected to back
The country’s wars and
Economic policies,
Right or wrong.

But God’s marbles are different;
Green marbles, blue marbles,
Striped marbles,
Cat’s Eyes,
All valuable to the
Champion Marble Player
Who keeps us whole,
Unchipped, safe in
His pocket
Until the next game.

Then we are pulled out,
Examined, cleaned,
And laid in the circle.
He uses all His marbles;
The new ones, the chipped ones,
The battered and well used ones.
But His hand polishes us,
And in His game,
We are aimed toward the
Light of justice and truth,
And love.

A beautiful marble
That lies in a box,
Unused,
Is of no worth.
It is only when it is spun
Against others
That its value is proven,
Its mettle is shown.
May I be a chipped, well used
Marble in God’s hand;
Aimed carefully to
Stay inside His circle.