THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times ! I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~
THESE COLORS DON'T RUN
Aw, Lady...this poem always makes me cry. It is so beautiful. God bless you and God bless the troops!
Everytime I read that I suffer from the need to clean my computer screen.
THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY; THINGS GOD WILL ON THAT DAY. KNOWING THE ANSWER AND TESTING YOUR HEART.
God won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house; He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask what your highest salary was; He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won't ask what your job title was; He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask how many friends you had; He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived; He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek salvation; He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of hell.