Said the nail to the hammer,
“Why the beating? Why the blow?
Why do you insist on hurting?
I would surely like to know.

“Did I ask for such harsh treatment?
Tell me—What did I do wrong?
I was perfectly contented
Lying in my box so long.

“I do not deserve your insults.
You’ve no right to bruise my head.
Hammer, leave me, please to slumber
In my windowed boxy bed.”

Said the hammer to the nail,
“Please don’t ask why you’re in pain.
I don’t strike you out of malice,
Yet I’ll strike you once again.

“I must do the Master’s bidding,
In whose hand I now reside.
‘Tis the Carpenter who chooses
Whom to use or set aside.”

Said the Master, “Stop your griping;
You are both within My hand.
Do not fight against the trials
I so carefully have planned.

“You’re no good to Me reposing
In your comfortable place.
Though a little pain is needful,
I have all-sufficient grace.

“I am interested in making
You a little more like Me.
If you’ll only let Me use you,
From your selfishness be free.”

Said the nail to the Master,
“I surrender to Your will.”
Said the hammer, “Lord, please use me;
In Your hand I’ll linger still.”

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

October 6, 2008
© 2017 Angela Umphers Rueger – All Rights Reserved

I found this poem penciled in a spiral notebook while we were packing up to move to Florida last year. One of my children gave it the title.

Photo courtesy of jiromyhero