A Poem for Judson

Written to Judson January 2005 by Iverna

Mother wrote poems to you when you were but a child, and then again when you married Eleanor. I’m sure there were others both written and in her heart unexpressed – You were her “Mary,” though I had the name. She saw your love for her Lord and knew you would become what she wanted to be herself, and longed for Dad to be.

Now I hear her saying “this is my last poem to you.”

Judson, once I wrote to you to be good and kind in all you do.
I spoke of training you to pray, and admonished you to keep in the narrow way.

I have watched from a higher plane as you accomplished your work in Jesus’ name.
You taught many others what you learned in the Word, worship and prayer,
You touched the heart of the Father as you daily knelt there.

Doors opened and closed as you rose to the top, traveling the world for your Lord –
You felt it never would stop.
Helping others to love God, to praise and to sing
was so rewarding to you that you forgot just one thing.

Life was never about all the work you would do.
Not the books you would write, or the people you knew.
Although these were all good and approved by your Master,
Your purpose on earth was to prepare for the hereafter.

Oh my son, you’ve done well, soon you’re coming home.
The Father waits for you and He’ll say, “Well done!”
Don’t worry about those whom you must leave,
Even though missing you their hearts will grieve.

The Lord who calls you home at this time,
Will surely care for all you must leave behind.
I will be waiting for you with open arms.
Here you’ll be free from pain and all harm.

You now enter His presence each day of the year,
But no words can explain what it’s like over here.
Glory upon glory in rays of love,
Echoes of mercy in coos of a dove.

So bow and worship and sing of His grace,
For son, soon you’ll see Jesus face to face.

Love, Mother

On February 11th Judson went home to Heaven,
Just a few weeks after I’d read him this poem.         Iverna

The Obituary