Healthy Fear

I love my parents, but I fear them too,
that I might hurt them is my biggest fear,
I fear their punishments for wrongs I do,
their love and justice are what I revere.
Though God's almighty, He still lets us be
able to love Him or reject His care,
since love's not real unless we're really free,
our love and fear of God are like a pair.
God's much more powerful than parents are,
His punishments based on His rule and rod,
His love and justice greater too by far,
He's perfect and all good, for He is God.
There's no respect if healthy fear is gone,
from my same heart, Lord, love and fear are drawn.

                                       -- by Pete Voelz      8/09