Recently a friend of mine sent a note along via Facebook including a wonderful poem about Christians. The poem I read had given credit to Dr. Maya Angelou and it read as if she had written it. However, in the course of wanting to give credit to where she had published this, I found out that she had been given false credit. I’m not sure why some choose to take words from one and give them to another – more famous perhaps – author, but that was the case for the poem you will read below.

As a Christian, I am often labeled in some sort of fashion that put a negative view on what I believe. Most of the time I don’t let it bother me, mainly because I know who I am and what I believe. I know that I can be a hypocrite at times. I know that I am not perfect. I try to be the best person I can in all circumstances.

But I also need to learn, I need to get myself into the Bible each and everyday and strive to be better than who I was the day before. While I will never be perfect — no human being can be — I can still strive to help others, be a friend to those in need and set an example to kids (and maybe even adults) around me.

Here is the original version of the poem…

When I say “I am a Christian”
© 1988 – Carol Wimmer

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”

When I say “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble – needing God to be my guide

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it

When I say “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority — I only know that I’m loved

*today’s lyric title: Carrie Underwood – “Jesus, Take the Wheel”

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