Vacation

I'm going on vacation soon, alone or so it seems.
I won't do any packing or going to extremes.

I will not need my wallet, for everything is free.
And I won't need my brand new phone, for there's so much to see.

I will not take a big jet plane or ride a fancy bus,
yet I'll be meeting my best Friend. There's so much to discuss.

And all will meet Him one fine day - not many, but a few.
I will not keep you in suspense, for you should know Him too.
---
Now first I'll need to be in court. It's all or nothing there.
My Friend will be there for me too. I'll not be in despair.

His Father is the highest judge of anyone around.
And quietly, I will stand there, in awe without a sound.

My Friend is there to defend me. My faith in Him is strong.
He sacrificed His everything. His grace blots out all wrong.

For those, through faith, believeth Him, His grace pours from above.
The Judge will tap His gavel soft. His countenance shows love.

AND THEN all Heaven will rejoice, in unison will sing-
as I enjoy this paradise, vast love and ev'rything.
---
Though body soon will turn to dust as earth can clearly see,
don't shed a single tear for me. I'm alive as I can be!

The masses run through widest gate. The narrow allows few.
So many store up treasures here. Is gate too small for you?

Possessions are not needed there- and yours won't leave this earth.
For God prepared a place for us alone with immense worth.

You, too, will see this paradise, at least I pray you do...
Yes, I'll be on vacation soon and I'll wait there for you.

This poem won first place for the June 2022 poetry contest