UNEXPECTED VISITOR
He knocked at my door, his clothes were old, tattered and torn,
But his eyes were very kindly but his smile was sad and worn,
I had watched him come up the road and no one would let him in,
In this nasty cold weather I thought that it was quite a big sin.

He doffed his old cap and removed his shabby shoes at the door,
I offered a chair, but he played with the children on the floor,
I could hear the laughter as they played while I finished the meal,
There was something special about that man that I could really feel.

My husband came in, joined in the fun until the meal was spread,
I called them, one of the children asked to bless the food and said
The usual blessing of thanks and gratitude, then, let the old man stay,
The old man smiled, nodded but said after the meal I’ll be on my way.

During the meal we all chatted, I talked about our Relief Society,
The children told of the songs they loved to sing in the Primary,
We invited him out to church, offered him some clothes to wear
His face shone with excitement he seemed he wanted to be there.

He thanked us for the meal, told us he had some suitable Sunday attire,
He knew where the church was, even asked if he could sing in the choir,
On Sunday, we wondered if to choir practice he would bother to come,
There waiting was our old man, he waved and said to us. Well done.

He told us he was searching for the true gospel of Christ to try and find,
The missionaries had taught him and what they said was on his mind,
The missionaries said that the church members would feed the poor,
Not leave them cold and hungry shunning no one away from their door.

So he put it to the test, other people he had tried for a bite to eat,
Some had given him money, told him to go off and buy a treat,
But we had let him in, a stranger, welcomed him, not judging ,
Just offered food and clothing without being condescending.

He joined the church, then one day our dear bishop he became,
Many times he’d tell the tale of how a member he became,
We never know who knocks at our door or the reason they come,
However poor we are, we share what we have so God’s work can be done.

(Millicent) Ann Margetson July 7, 2002