By Tom Mortimer

As I arise each beautiful morning
To face the struggles of the day
I grow impatient and judgmental
With all the people in my way
But hey, I'm not perfect, nobody is

And as I drive by the weary beggars
Always bugging me for a dime
I look the other way and keep on driving
Pretending I haven't got the time
But hey, I'm not perfect, nobody is

And when I finally get to work
I feel my life is nothing but a chore
I criticize and become disgusted
I just can't take it anymore
But hey, I'm not perfect, nobody is

And when the weekend finally arrives
It's time to party, let it all hang out
Drinking, drugs, and hangovers
That's what real life's all about
And hey, I'm not perfect, nobody is

Then when Sunday finally gets here
I feel I deserve to just stay in bed
I don't need some preacher telling me
How the hungry need to be fed
Or how my life would be much better
If I would pray and learn to love
Or how all my sins could be forgiven
If I just asked the One above
But hey, I'm not perfect, nobody is

But lately, my life's been changing
I'm trying to be patient and not to judge
And when others are out to offend me
I offer forgiveness and won't hold a grudge
You see, I'm not perfect, but I can be

And when I pass the helpless beggars
Standing alone with only a sign
I'm going out of my way to help them
They stand with Jesus, brothers of mine
You see, I'm not perfect, but I can be

And at work I'm always smiling
It's just a job and nothing more
I know of all the riches that await me
Just beyond my Heaven's door
You see, I'm not perfect, but I can be

And as the weekend draws slowly closer
I stand ready as it finally arrives
It's my time to reach out to others
To make a difference in their lives
You see, I'm not perfect, but I can be

Then there's my church, my place of refuge
A place where all the faithful return
Where we refresh our spirits with wisdom
Where the fires of righteousness burn
A place where all our sins can be forgiven
Where the Word of the Lord can still be read
Where we put on the body of Jesus
As we take of the wine and bread
You see, we're not perfect, but we can be

Copyright © Tom Mortimer.

(The poem is available to general media, publications and webmasters under condition that the author's name and the link to www.paulmurphybooks.com will be provided under the poem.)

BACK