The Gift of Grace

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man – even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place? ~ Ecclestesias 5:1-6

Dying in the right order.
Parents, children, then grandchildren.
The pain of early death
stands stark, naked, clear.
The pain of a miserable octogenarian
never to have known contentment
passing from emotional pain —
better to have quality
no matter how short the life.
Do not all go to the same place?

God, I know you love me.
I know you’re fair.
I know the deck’s not stacked against me.
Help me accept with joy and peace
your gift of grace,
offered freely
whether I accept or not.

Rollins, Barbara B.. A Time for Verse –
Poetic Ponderings
on Ecclesiastes.