Go Make a Parable for Jesus' Sake

In my study for an upcoming series on marriage I ran across a poem by John Piper that I thought was worth exalting.

I wish I were so capable of writing
With apparent ease.
After long lengths of fighting
I find it hard to please
The ear
And compose a verse, that my beautiful wife will hold dear
Never the less, I love you Jaime without eloquence,
but simply and enduring from this time hence.
(That's the best I have for now.  The following words are from the pen of Piper.  However, the affections and emotions I share as well.)

In spite of all
My sin, God said, "Now go, enthrall
Yourself with her, and call her your
Delight, and keep your love as pure
As mine for you.  She is a gift
From me.  And if you ever lift
Your hand or voice against your wife,
Remember that I hold your life
Here in my hand.  Instead, go make
A parable for Jesus' sake,
And show the world the kind of grace
That put Jaime* in your embrace."

I fear I have not written well
This parable, and truth will tell
How marred the tender tablets are,
And time will show how deep the scar
That I have left with my poor script.
Too seldom was my stylus dipped
In oil before I wrote in this
Soft clay.  Some things a tender kiss,
Cannot undo, and worse is none
Than this:  The good that was not done-
The happy praises left unsung,
The bell of thankfulness unrung,
The exultation left unsaid,
And tears of sympathy unshed.

I wish that I could start again.
But that is not to be.  So then,
I will make good on this our day
Of anniversary, and say,
My wife is to be praised!  Let this
Be sung today.  Nor will I miss
This chance to ring the happy bell
Of hope and thankfulness, and tell
The world in words, I can't conceal
And inasmuch as it lies in
My power to let tears begin.

God has been good to me. Far more
Than I deserve he put in store,
And made me drink of this cup of bliss
From your kind hands, and taste the kiss
Of mercy all these solid years,
In spite of all my sin.  No fears
Destroy my hope that we will last,
Because God's mercy is steadfast,
And he delights to cross the broad
Expanse of all my sin, my flawed
Creation of this parable
Of love, and by his nearness, full
Of truth, make marriage here a place
To write the story of his grace.

*John's faithful wife is Noel