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I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
“I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils;”William Wordsworth.
Forward
Some time after I wrote the original version that follows, I realised this was a graphic picture of my life over about 6 years.
I had done things I knew were wrong yet did not seem to have the power to stop.
On the outside I was a sincere “Christian”, but privately I was a slave to foul thoughts and actions.
Then all of a sudden they came to and end and slowly over another about 20 years I have come to appreciate the reality of being a true Son of the Loving Heavenly Family.
Also the truth found in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
From this I know I am Forgiven and Cleansed.
This story following is a picture of the Prodigal Son as found in the Bible.But with the significant change on the actions of the older Brother!In this story He went out and found His Brother, paid the price and brought him home.As I look back over my life I have always known God loved me.Even during the darkest times I sensed His presence and His love.As I look back I am surprised I have not utilized the loving offer of living in their Holy Presence more often.
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
Once I was wandering, lost and alone.I had nothing to do, a person lonely and lost.I was far away from home, working wherever I could.Then some angry wild men grabbed me, bound me.I was a prisoner.I was taken and forced to work for them.The things I was forced to do are so ugly that I don’t want to talk about them. I am so pleased that has now passed.Just that it was such a fowl time and I look back on that time with disgust.But I was slave. I had no choice or I thought I had no choice.For every now and then I sensed a “voice” within me that said, ‘you can, yes you can do better.’ I wanted to change but I was slave I felt I had to do as I was told.
So I was a slave to whatever they wanted.Then they tired of me and put me up at the slave market.A new owner bought me.That was the start of my new life. You see my new owner was a gentleman, a nice man, I don’t know why but he paid a very high price for me.He said I had potential but I saw only my disgusting past.He said he could change me, give a purpose and a new life if I put my trust in him.I did not know if that was possible.I had tried to change in the past but had failed.But I decided to trust him and I went willingly to him.I was his slave. I knew what to do.I was a slave pleased to do all he said.He was kind and brought me into his family home.One day he brought me to his father.Now that was a surprise!His father had his arms out wide and said “come to me”.I was now a willing slave. I happily did as I was told. But the father had his arms out wide and as I moved towards him he ran quickly towards me.His arms still out wide.I did not know what to do, but I was a willing slave so I allowed him to take me into his arms.He had such a smile on his face that I accepted his embrace.I was a willing slave. I did as I was told.But the father said to me, “welcome son, you past has been covered, the price has been paidy, you are now my son”.I could have fainted.Wow, I was a willing slave but now I am an brand new son.They bathed me, and I was clean, they gave me new clothes to put on.From someone lost and alone I was now accepted as a son but still thought of myself as a willing slave.The Son who had saved me at the slave market came up to me and hugged me and said, “Hello Brother.”
Then they introduced me to the Third Member of their loving Family.He was the Holy Spirit. When He greeted me and filled me with His Presence, and said He was now my loving Friend, I remembered I had heard His Voice before!Wow, such love and such intimacy.
“For oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood, …And then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils.” William Wordsworth.
Is that your story also?Jesus died on the Cross for you and me.He suffered. He paid the price for us.Yes we were once slaves to another, but now we are in a way, God’s slaves.We accept that willingly.Yet once Jesus has taken us to his place and we find the father has adopted us as sons and daughters.Willing as slaves yet accepted as sons.Even brothers and sisters of Christ!
But wait there is more.The Love the Father, Son and Holy Spirit show me is overwhelming.When ever I meet with them the flow of love towards me is so great.They all seem to be so pleased to meet with me and talk.Just imagine this is the family that created the whole world.The family that suffered when the very people they created in their own image rejected them.Their suffering continued in a cruel way to make a way for reconciliation.This is the family that is now showing me such love.Me, one who can still remembers my disgracing actions.I can report these memories are slowly diminishing as their combined love flows through me.There are other changes their love produces that will need to be shared in another story.