SECOND PLACES

Oases found along the way
To us are heaven sent;
We stop and hear what God will say,
And there we pitch our tent. 

Oases found along the way—
Foretaste of heaven here—
And for a while we stop and stay;
Each place becomes so dear. 

But second place each always is
To heaven’s promised land;
Yet every second place is His–
Is touched by Jesus’ hand. 

Each second place is meant to be
The soil of heaven’s own,
As others we begin to see
From Father’s seeds are grown. 

Each second place is meant to form
Us all in heaven’s mold,
For heaven always is the norm;
We’re meant for that sheepfold. 

But second place they always are
To heaven’s promised land;
We’re called upon to journey far
In Church’s holy band.

Those second places always good
When kept in second place–
Are nourished there by Jesus’ food:
His quail and manna grace.

Our tent is flapping in the wind,
His Holy Spirit’s call
Reminding us we’re not to spend     
Our life here after all–

Reminding us that soon will come    
The call to strike our tent;
The time will come to journey home—
For promised land we’re meant.