The show took place on the old front porch,

The viewers were family and friends

Showtime was set for late afternoon,

Before twilight set in.

The audience sat on the lower steps,

The tiny Miss took her place, center stage

Then, like an angel, her voice rang out,

And a sweet song to heaven was raised.

Folks who were not perceptive,

And those who were dull, with no dreams

Saw only a kid on a porch,

For them that was all to be seen.

But those who were young or unjaded,

Perceived a beautiful face,

And heard a full throated song,

As sounds floated upward through space.

No one noticed the creaking floorboards,

Or how much the old porch rail leaned,

Folks, in awe at what they heard and saw,

Nothing else mattered, it seemed.

As she sang aloud to the eager crowd,

Amongst them, not a whisper was heard,

Even the leaves were hushed in the breeze,

And still were small, warbling birds

What song was this that made nature resist

Offering its own earthly sounds?

Surely God's gift to this innocent Miss

Was holding nature itself spell-bound.

When her song was done, she smiled and waved.

As with approval, her audience cheered,

Her dog and cat at attention sat,

As each cocked a respective ear.

Lessons, perhaps, for this talented lass?

Oh no! Let God's gift be as it may,

Defined and refined, as God designed,

No improvement could ever be made.

A future on Broadway ... or in concert halls?

Just where would this front porch lead?

Exactly what did God have in mind?

What plan was tucked up His sleeve?

He had His eye on this little Miss,

Before the first note of her song,

And when she sang that day on the porch,

She was His protege from then on.

What heart is not touched by a melody?

And what soul's not inspired by song?

What spirit's not moved by an angel's voice? Ah!

No manner of man is that strong!

I doubt this child will ever know

The full power her voice holds

Perhaps that's a secret best kept by God,

As a part of His plan for lost souls.

What must one do to earn such a gift?

How does God so decide?

Oh, He knows her song is sung for Him,

And He is satisfied.

Virginia (Ginny) Ellis Copyright December 2004

~ a commentary from Ginny ~

This poem is based on an early childhood memory of Genelle Tennant, who grew up to be one of the best loved Gospel singers in the South and on the Internet. Click on the picture of her below to go to her Website and hear her "grown-up," beautiful music of today!

Please visit Ginny's Website to read more of her beautiful poetry.

http://www.poetrybyginny.com

~ a note from Genelle ~

I want to humbly thank Ginny Ellis with all my heart and with tears in my eyes. No one has ever done me the honor of writing a poem inspired by a part of my life. I was five years old when I began 'singing on the front porch' ... pretending the world was a stage. I did not know then that the desire which burned within my heart to sing had been put there by my Heavenly Father and would lead me to sing for Him all the rest of my life!

While I'm touched to the depths of my heart, I can only say that all I have been given and every note I sing comes totally by grace from HIM! I'm in awe of the great gifts that our Lord bestows on his creation. Even from the womb He places His plans for us in motion and endows us with talents to use for Him and His people. I'm blessed beyond measure to think that our great and sovereign God would choose me to sing. I love to sing His praises and I pray that I will always represent His love and grace as I sing. I pray that He will always anoint my voice and the words so they will go out and accomplish that which He has ordained. Amen!

God Bless you all! And thank you for supporting my music ministry with your prayers, encouragement and love!

In Jesus' Love,

Genelle

"Patricia's Porch" is provided courtesy of the artist Marty Bell

Midi Performed by Margi Harrell
And used here with her gracious permission. Please feel free to visit her wonderful site from the link above. This midi along with more wonderful compositions are available at Ms. Harrell's site on CDs. If you wish to use her music on your personal web site you must contact Ms. Harrell.