Armor

ARMOR

On the Saturday that just passed, my son Josh was the last one

To join all his friends in the street

He woke up real late, then did the chores that he hates,

But before leaving he had to eat.

There was no time to get dressed, so he put on some grubbies

He didn’t look like a king, but he didn’t look scrubby

He wore tennis shoes, and had sweats that were blue,

And his jersey had a big “#3”

The friends had a ball game but Josh had a small frame,

Was he well enough protected? 

His friends were all bigger, they played football with rigor,

On this thought he seriously reflected

He wondered if, in fact, his body could take it

But he just had to play and thought "How can I make it?

The sport really thrills me, if nobody kills me.

It’s too early for my resurrection.”

He hustled back home to his room where he’d thrown

All his clothes and his football equipment

He looked through what he had, and only found knee pads,

And this thought filled him full of resentment

He resented the fact that he was a small fry

He resented the thought that he really could die

If he made it through this one without being undone,

It really would be an achievement 

At the first of the year, when he purchased his gear,

He refused to get all of the outfit

He could run really fast, so he thought he would speed past

His opponents without getting hit

He got pads for his knees because they both had been injured

The rest was in good shape, they had never been hurt

But the truth of the matter was-- his heart pitter-pattered.

You could say he was scared just a bit  

His mind was tormented, he wished he could repent of

The choice that he made long ago

But now it was late and the kids wouldn’t wait.

So he started playing and didn’t think of the foe

He went in to throw passes because he had a good arm

And his line would protect him, there was not any harm

He went back for a pass then caught his foot in the grass,

And who did the guys pile on? -- You know! 

He was hurt pretty bad, they took him home to his Dad

Who laid him down and inspected his body

They had plastered his chest, and bruised all the rest,

And his eyesight had turned rather shoddy

Dad asked, And your knees? Cause they’d hurt him before

Josh said they felt fine. His knee pads he’d worn

My knees feel okay! But I wish I could say

The same thing about the rest of my body 

“Son, do you remember way back in September

When all the football gear went on sale?

I suggested you get the entire outfit."

But you said, "I’m no wimp, I’m not frail!

It’s a waste of my money to buy all this stuff

I’ll just wrap my knees-- I think that is enough

I don’t need all this gear, and besides, I don’t fear

All those guys, I’m as fast as a rail!" 

Now son, you are brave, but your body is craving

Some safety, a little protection

It says, ‘Please defend me. If not you will send me

To the-other-world and that’s not my selection

If you don’t want to get hurt put on all of your armor

The shoulder pads, knee pads and helmet will then be your

Perfect defense against those giants--Makes sense?

And the game will be yours. No objection?  

The ball game of life is a quite different fight

Against a foe that’s not easily conquered

The armor’s the same, but to win at this game

You must be somewhat of an expert

The pads on your loins are the truth of the gospel

And good, righteous living is a breastplate that’s full

Of unselfish labor, good acts towards your neighbor,

And living God’s law. Do you concur? 

Your feet must be dressed with peace, that’s the best way

To share gospel truths with your brother

And then take the shield of faith. Don’t you yield

To the bawdy suggestions of others

The helmet you wear is your own exaltation;

The Spirit’s sharp sword is God’s word: revelation

To help you in the fight against the Evil One’s might

Yes, the Devil and all of his brothers 

And then you must pray in the spirit with faith

For all Saints, that they may be pure

That they’ll be protected and you’ll be selected

As one of His army. I’m sure

That you’ll fight in the war on his side. It’s a battle

With Satan, his warriors and darkness. And that’ll

Be a war you will fight for all that is right

Forever. And you must endure. 

So wherever you go wear God’s armor, and you’ll know

That He will always protect you

You’ll have strength to contend with temptations and sin

And no evil will ever affect you

That doesn’t mean that you won’t be attacked

But endure what you can. And then only fight back

Using God’s mighty weapons, and His power will deaden

The Beast, he might even respect you.

c aaron