Grandpa Smiled

The children gathered down in front,     All sprawled about without a care. The preacher gave a homily     While little Susie twirled her hair. O, to make some moral imprint,     How the preacher tried and tried! Tommy tracing in the carpet,     Becky, listless, fussed and cried, Johnny hanging off the lectern,     Billy, underneath the pews. So it plays out every week as     Little ears receive good news. Rounding third and losing steam,     With one last chance to bring it home, "What's the best gift you have gotten?”     Asked the preacher while they roam. Jimmy says, "A bright red scooter!"     Maggie yells, "big screen TV!" "Yesterday I got my ears pierced!”     Sally stands for all to see. "When I got my baby puppy!"     Loudly squealed another child. "Jesus on the cross for me,"     Said Mary then, and Grandpa smiled.