Bernard Howe

I'll Not Have Lived In Vain

If I can help one lonely soul
And bring new hope to him;
If I can reach one lofty goal
And never take the win.

If I can do one single deed
To help a friend of mine;
If I can lead in time of need
Sure, let my light so shine.

If I can ease one breaking heart
Or take away one pain,
Or cause one sorrow to depart
I'll not have lived in vain.

Just when things seem wonderful
is when it will hit you hard.
Your mortal soul's in trouble
and you let down your guard.

It seems so easy to forget
just who created all mankind.
And so every now and then
for all us, he does remind.

He does not ask for much
just to obey his only laws.
There is only 12 of them
with which we show our flaws.

But to ask for his forgiveness
and to help forgive our sin.
Now is the time that we must
let him show us, where to begin.

To live in his good graces
one must cross the bridge.
And cross the mighty narrows
and stay upon the ridge.

For when our time does come
and we get to meet our Lord.
And we have truly followed him
we shall reap his final reward.

Little drops of water
Can make a flowing stream.
That can make a mighty ocean,
That reflect the suns gold beam.

And little deeds of kindness
Will shine like precious gold.
Making little words of love,
For all our hearts to hold.

Just one little tiny deed
Can make a person say.
Even though you are so kind
This has made my day.

Sometimes my river seems too wide,
My mountains all too high.
For me to cross - for me to climb,
Seems useless even to try.

But then I think how small my cares,
And blessings without loss....
I've never worn a crown of thorns,
Nor been nailed to a cross.