Living Room

The Living Room
November 1966

With diligence and loving care, 
this special room I now prepare.

I must not tarry nor delay, 
an honoured guest is on his way.

The welcome hearth, the curtains trim, 
all must be beautiful for him.

The woodwork polished rich and deep, 
it will be perfect 'ere I sleep.

As I labour I ignore
the callers knocking on my door,

They only seek to chat and waste
 my time when I am in such haste.

But now I've finished wait, what's that?
 Dust and dirt beneath the mat.

And there a picture not quite straight,
how dull the coals burn in the grate.

There is no time to rectify
 this mess before my guest comes by.

I gaze in anguish round my room,
the dust and cobwebs on the broom,

Then in dispair rush to the door
to bar the guest long waited for.

How could I now receive a king,
and into this low hovel bring?

In my distress I knelt to pray,
and heard the voice of JESUS say,

"Why do you strive so frantically
to hide your sins away from me?

The dirty corners of your home
cannot be cleaned by you alone,

Invite me in and let me clean
and purify where sin has been.

Had you forgotten I was near,
I knocked before, did you not hear?"

"I KNOCKED BEFORE, DID YOU NOT HEAR ?"