My Heart I Offer Unto Thee

by Scott Elgersma, Guest Poet

We've been told for years
That our hearts are ours.
Hold them close,
Share them not.
A man stands alone.
Share it with your God, but only just.
Just enough to
get in the door of heaven.
Just enough to
get forgiveness.
Just enough to
get some comfort from the guilt.
Share it with a woman, but only just.
Just enough
for her to open her heart.
Just enough
for her to open her mind.
Just enough
for her to open her body.
Share it with the world, but only just
Just enough to
write a check.
Just enough to
shed one tear.
Just enough to
calm the fear.
Share it with a brother, but only just.
Just enough to
share a beer.
Just enough to
watch the game.
Just enough to
shake a hand.
A man stands alone.
Alone is cold.
Alone is hard.
Alone is scary.
Alone is... alone.
I am not my own.
I have no heart that's mine to keep.
It is my God's for him to use.
All to
give him glory.
All to
do his will.
All to
share his love.
It is my bride's for her to know.
All to
help her grow in love.
All to
forgive my failings great.
All to
be sure of above all else.
It is the world's for them to hear.
All to
speak when the truth is rare.
All to
stand when other's fall.
All to
go to when the way is dark.
It's my brother's for him to see.
All to
comfort when the burden is great.
All to
direct when the path is lost.
All to
count on when temptation is real.
My heart I offer unto all of thee.
It is not my own, for I belong...
Not to myself, but to him and all he loves.