What defines the worthy phrase 'child of God'?
No age or gender demanded,
neither does wealth enter to honour the title.
It takes loving kindness, and random
acts of unselfish care to deserve
the trust of this favoured name.
A word at some right time, passed as
meaningful praise, must serve to highlight such
God-child as special, one who will brighten lives
with only perhaps a thoughtful smile,
Or will, with discernment, suddenly send
a tender line in a letter of love,
most unexpectedly, and which on arrival
brings much needed comfort,
overlooked by all, but the beautiful child of God.
Being, by nature a giver, non-judgemental,
unconditionally kind, God's child
can be beguiling when present
and appears unassuming, but is sharp as steel
in knowing humanities' neediness.
With nondescript face, poet or priest, aged
or childlike in years, a stranger perhaps,
or a forgotten friend, an old neighbour,
or a begger we meet on the street,
Christ in rags is still able to shake us awake.
It takes but belief in love's wonderful way
of providing aid at the proper time.
In this we may, although unawares,
have met or entertained angels.
Children of God are really out there.
Fay Slimm
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/child-of-god-3/
