Soldier's Deck of Cards

A soldier overseas and at war

Found a moment to be alone

He,to spend some time with the Lord

As with but some cards He was shown

The soldier knew it was a Sunday

The holiest day of the week

It was not like any other day

As the gunfire oft became weak

While, with his cards displayed all about

A Sergeant passed by and paused in wonder

And asked what he was doing with them out.

What was said, gave him much to ponder...

"I am spending time with the Lord," He said

"In the only way I am allowed

As I cannot have a Bible, the wine, or bread

Through this deck, I've been endowed"

The sergeant asked in disbelief

"How do you do that? Can I see?"

"You see the Ace, there is one God

Two the Son; Three, the Spirit within me"

"Four, the words of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Five, the virgins who were prepared

Six and seven, the creation to rest upon

Eight, Noah's family as the flood scared"

"Nine, the lepers that Jesus cleansed

Ten, the commandments, God's gift to us
The Jack, the Spirit of which I sense

The Queen of hearts, the Earth in trust"

"The Joker well, I threw him out

For living well is really tough

And of Satan, I can do without...

Fighting in this war is enough"

"Last of all is the King- that's me

Of royal blood, I am of worth

With potential, great, to see

Tender mercy and rebirth"

"I count the dots so meek and small

There is one for each day of the year

There are fifty two cards in all

One for each Sabbath and cleansing near"

"Four suits for the seasons which we live

Each has thirteen cards and weeks they own

For all this and more in service I give

That religious freedom might be more known"

The Sergeant asked, with tears in flow

If I might share the cards with him

As through the Spirit, he came to know

All that these cards can teach within

Please remember and take time to pray 

For all of our soldiers who are being sent away, 

Putting their lives on the line just for us.

As they fight for freedom and a world that's just

Pray through it all, He'll have what he needs
To feel close to God, where inspiration leads
Holy writ, covenants, song, and prayers
Among the bonds that brotherhood shares