A Poem About God's Square Mile
at the Jersey Shore...
Ocean
Grove—
This
tiny Christian community
comes
to life in the summertime
Methodist.
Camp Meeting.
Boxy
tent houses
with
colorful flower gardens
American
flags and banners
surround
The Great Auditorium
with
its lighted Cross
facing
the ocean
It’s
just a mile square
Quiet.
Subtle.
Not
in-your-face-religion
although
church
bell chimes
do
break the quietude now and then
with
a gentle reminder
and
there’s a pavilion
on
the boardwalk
where
Gospel events take place
Folks
can walk-in or walk by
and
there’s a tabernacle
for
morning worship
and
solid Bible teaching
but
it’s optional
Personally,
the spiritual amenities
are
what draw me
to
this particular place
at
the Jersey shore
What’s
surprising
is
that many vacationers come
not
for the Bible Hour
not
for the concerts
not
to hear great preachers
from
all over the world
not
to worship in the great old edifice
with
its magnificent pipe organ
not
to sing hymns of antiquity
in
fact, they come
not
for the Gospel, at all
but
for peace and quiet
for
one square mile
of
no hawking of tee shirts
and
games of chance
roller
coasters, carousels
freak
shows and body piercing
in
fact, there’s nothing for sale
on
the boardwalk
and
no alcohol for sale
in
the grove
No,
they come
for
a sandy beach
and
ocean spray
quaint
Victorians, B & Bs
curiosity
shops on Main
and
shady sidewalk dining
oh!
and ice cream at Nagle’s or Day’s
and
they know they can rely upon
good
old fashioned
Ocean
Grove wholesomeness
and
Christian acceptance
even
if they’re not necessarily
seeking
the Christ of Christianity
…and
to my way of thinking
stand
to miss out on the Best
this
precious little gem
has
to offer
Maude
Carolan Pych
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