The Future Unknown
By C.R. Lee
“Okay class,” the teacher did say.
“I have one last assignment for you today.
I want you to think and think very hard.
I want you to think as you leave this schoolyard.
Think of your future and what it might be.
Think of your future and what you might see.
Will you have a big house and a very cool car?
Or will you travel and go very far?
Will you be married and have lots of kids?
Will you have a farm and have lots of pigs?
Will you work in an office and wear a blue suit?
Will you work at a market and sell lots of fruit?
So that’s the task I give you to do.
Write it all down, that’s my task for you.”
As I walked out of class, I felt out of wack.
I thought of my life and the things that I lack.
I said to Dave, “What do you think?
As we talked about our future I started to sink.
I feel like I’m lost and falling behind.
I think of my future, and I have nothing in mind.
What will I do if I don’t have a plan?
Will my future be cut short before it’s began?”
“Slow down and relax, you’re thinking too much.
You’re stressing on things and feel out of touch.
Let’s just play ball, like we were planning to do.
Then maybe you’ll think of a plan or two.”
“Thanks for trying to distract my mind.
But my future is something I simply must find!
I need to know what my life will be.
I need to know, can you not see?”
“When I’m stuck and I can’t find my way,
My parents can usually brighten my day.
Go home to your mom, go home to your dad.
Maybe with them, a plan will be had.”
So homeward bound is where I went.
It’s with my parents I can talk and vent.
I walked in my house and I hung my head low.
The homework I got delivered a blow.
My Mom was at the table reading a book.
Dad was in the kitchen starting to cook.
I plumped myself down and made a big sigh.
I just couldn’t look them straight in the eye.
Mom went first, as she could tell.
I wasn’t right and I wasn’t well.
“How was school? How was your day?
The look on your face tells me you’re in dismay.”
“Mom and Dad, I need some advice.
Encouraging words sure would be nice.”
Dad stopped his chopping and looked right at me.
My emotions were off which he could then see.
“Talk to us son, tell us the issue.
You’re face tells me more than I think you wished to.”
“I got an assignment from my teacher today.
But it sent me rocking and ruined my day.
I need to write about my future, is it.
But my future is something I don’t know just yet.
What job will I have? What will I do?
Will I get married? Have a kid or two?
I like to play sports and I like to do math.
But I don’t know if that is my path.”
Dad said, “I know how you feel as I’ve felt that way too.
That’s when the Bible says what to do.
I know you feel pressure and confused in your mind.
But God brings us peace and calm will we find.
Jeremiah 29 verse 11 is where,
We can relax knowing God is right there.
He has a plan for you and for me,
Even if that’s something we cannot quite see.
God wants to take care and give you some hope.
He wants us to prosper and keep things in scope.
We don’t know what today or tomorrow will bring.
But God is in charge so we can just sing.”
“But what if His way never works out.
What if I mess up and only have doubt?”
“Trust His ways and know He is there.
For His ways are good and always He’s fair.
I don’t always know His plan for me.
But I know that he has one and one day I’ll see.
So my job is to relax and not to fret,
And let God show me my future I haven’t quit met.”
“Thank you Mom and thank you Dad.
I think that I get it, and it’s not all that bad.
I just need to be young and not worry yet,
About a future and life that God has all set.
All I know is to follow Gods ways,
And He will take care of me all of my days.
So I can relax and I can just chill.
All things happen based on God’s will.
He made me and knows me more than anyone I know. And with his Grace, I will just grow.”