I suppose you could consider this poem a modern take on the book of Ecclesiastes. It is not all based on my life, but in some sense it is the story of every person. We all strive for satisfaction, and all of us have placed hope in things that fail to provide it. There is only one place where hope can rest secure and sure- One living hope that endures forever.

A Resting Place for Hope

I thought to put my hope in friends
To mold and shape me by their trends
In their acceptance I would glow
And on their shoulders place my woes;
As long as they were by my side
I could survive life’s bumpy ride.

But friends, so sad to see
Did not revolve ’round me
Fair weather types abound
Rare shoulder to be found.

I thought to put my hope in school
Certificates would be the tools
To hone my skills and to impress
Employers and secure success;
Good grades and goals could get me there,
I kept them by my utmost care.

And I did quickly find
A place to use my mind
But thanks and praise were few
Since more do as I do.

I thought to put my hope in spouse,
Have children, buy a pretty house
My husband would a fortress be
And happy babes upon my knee
My love would make our family whole
No shadow there to take its toll.

But love had ebbs and flows
And happy babes did grow,
Perfection was not found
Fortress fell to the ground.

I thought to put my hope in health
And things and places gained by wealth
I thought “‘Tis hope with certainty
As long as it depends on me.
So I will feed my body well
Will exercise and daily dwell
On goals to stay this way as long
As life can sing me happy songs.”

But looks and health betray
And age- with aches and grays,
Silently beauty fades
Tired goes the charade.

I thought to put my hope in me
Seek inner peace and true beauty
Breathe in the good and out the bad
One with the universe be glad
Convince myself that all was right
And bask there in my own good light.

But ugly reared its head
I found the thing I dread,
When trials boiled hot
Beauty and peace were not
Displayed nor felt inside
I tried, but instead died.

Hope was not found within
But rather there was sin.
Within, without was doubt
For thirst- I found a drought.

I craved for a firm foundation
Where to stand and not be shaken
A place for roots to go down deep
For treasure that would always keep
Which neither time nor fault could stain-
A hope unfading to remain.

‘Twas then hope came, sent from above
When dead in sin, God poured out love
His Son my sin to bear away
And make in me a place to stay.
While seasons change and some hopes wane
I finally found hope that remains
Hope undefiled, heaven kept
Seated with Christ, where I’ve been swept
To endless joy filled with glory
Where grace overwrites my story;
Born to living hope I rest
I in my Savior- happy, blessed.