I've been walking quite some time.
In fact I've been walking all my life.
Well walking not in the strictest sense of the word,
I have crawled, walked, and ran all in turn.
The path stretched behind me doesn't make sense to me.
Clouded with pain, darkness, loneliness and tragedy.
Yet in these dark mists little lights shine brilliantly,
Faith, Hope, and Love, reappearing continually.
The path ahead is likewise shrouded.
Doubts, fears and uncertainty my vision have clouded
Why walk one might ask? Why not settle down?
Why travel where darkness and pain will be found?
Despite all those thoughts I choose to press on.
In this darkness I know only I do not belong.
Another wrong turn, another dead end.
Another mistake, I am lost again.
Knees scraped and bruised, from falling so oft.
I sit down, I give up, I am done, I am lost.
Through the mists of my despair a man walks to my side.
Lends a hand, says "Come with me. I'll be your guide."
In the darkness his lantern is blinding, I turn away and see,
The path now well lit, stretched out behind me.
My heart at the lights first gleam it had leapt,
Now horror, as I saw where I'd stepped.
Through mud, and through thorns, and flowered fields too,
I'd stumbled and trampled and blundered right through.
Wounded, tricked and knocked down others on my way.
Ashamed, I wanted but could not turn away.
Even worse my guide's offer was not the first of it's kind.
All along the way I had said "Another time."
Astonished I saw what I could not explain,
My guide had followed and led anyway.
I turned back to him, but my gaze hurried down.
I looked at my clothes ripped and torn, bloody and browned.
Without looking up I had one word - "why?"
Instead of responding we started to cry.
"My child, will you follow, I know the way!"
"Of course Dad, I'll go wherever you say."
We pick ourselves up and turn to the path ahead.
Alas! My resolve oh how quickly it fled.
His lantern shone, but the path still wasn't clear.
My steps at first eager, were slowed by my fears.
With compassion he turned to me and said: "I can see."
And with every step I must say "I believe."
The Journey is Just Beginning.
