If

I wrote this poem a couple of months ago. It was inspired by Kipling's 'If' , which I've known well from being a young child because my grandmother always had a copy of it hung on her wall. I hope I'm not breaking any copyright rules with this one! Rebecca 

If

If you can keep your faith when all about you are losing theirs and saying it's not true,

If you can trust in God when all men doubt that He will do what He said He would do;

If you can wait and stay in peace whilst waiting,

And be content with those unanswered whys,

If you can keep pressing on without fainting,

Remembering: God makes you good; God makes you wise...

If you can dream - with God's will as your vision;

If you can think - with God's word as your aim;

If you can walk in valleys and on mountains

And praise Him at both places just the same;

If you can shine in a world where there's darkness

Relying on God's grace - not on keeping man's rules

And be real with God when your life feels broken,

And allow Him to restore you with precious jewels...

If you can give to God all your failures and winnings

And let Him bring out the precious from the dross,

And receive God's forgiveness and a new beginning

Purchased with Christ's blood at Calvary's cross;

If you can stand on the promises God gave you

And keep your nerve before battles seem won;

If you can live in love and bless those who hate you

And, as God forgives you, forgive everyone...

If you can stay faithful when it hurts you

And do good, whether men care or aren't touched;

If you can pray beyond every breakthrough,

Delighting in God, who loves you so much!

If you can look to the Holy Spirit

To help you as you as you continue to run,

Then you'll finish the race well, with your torch lit!

And - what's more - you'll be truly wise my son!

By Rebecca Dever (was Hale) 2022