Before the day my parents met <br />And love was found within <br />And their romance was firmly set <br />So they would not give in, <br />The Lord knew I was soon to be, <br />His heritage of love, <br />The firstborn of the ones born free, <br />Each granted grace enough... <br /> <br />Before the day I went to school, <br />Eleven years to learn, <br />I knew that life was kind and cruel, <br />Their lessons to discern... <br />I faced exams like others did, <br />With mixed results I passed... <br />So what? For I was just a kid, <br />Till I left school at last... <br /> <br />Before the day I went to work, <br />To earn a daily crust, <br />Here was the chance I could not shirk, <br />The chance to prove their trust... <br />So years passed by, with small reward, <br />A pittance, nothing more, <br />Until the day I found the Lord <br />Who showed what life was for... <br /> <br />Before my life had run its course, <br />I preached the Word for years, <br />About God's Prophets and God's Laws <br />To open hearts and ears... <br />But nothing moves me quite as much <br />As this one certainty, <br />God grants to me His loving touch <br />When people pray for me... <br /> <br />Before I leave this world behind, <br />Its destiny to face, <br />I thank those people who were kind <br />My problems to embrace... <br />They gave me strength to help me cope, <br />They prayed by day and night... <br />To these I leave the words of hope <br />I write and write and write...<br /><br />Denis Martindale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-legacy-of-love/
