The Gift

Occasion: I wrote this poem while watching my son, Samuel, roll around on the floor shortly after his first birthday, in 1992. It had been several years since I last wrote a poem and I wondered if I'd ever write again. That day he inspired me. He still does.

I was sitting in my chair and reading
Quietly at home
My son was rolling on the floor
Content to play alone

Then something caught my eye
So I looked down at my boy
He stood before my chair
Showing me a toy

His eyes were wide with wonder
His face locked in a grin
I knew just what he wanted
So I knelt down with him

And for the first time in a long time
On that quiet autumn day
This father took his only child
And we set out to play

And as we played with all the things
That he had lying there
I looked him in his big blue eyes
And daddy said a prayer

“God, how can I thank you
For this little man of joy
Who brings me so much happiness
Lord thank you for my boy

“My father, take this child please
Though he is only one
I know that you can use him
So I’m giving you my son."

Later on that night
He lay quietly in bed
I reached down toward him
And kissed him on his head

And I thought how much I love him
How it hurts to see him cry
How much more it must have hurt my Lord
To send His Son to die.

"Lord, I really want to thank you
For all that you have done
From one father to another
Thank you for my son."