That's really inspring...
Here's one that I've read so many times in times of difficulty. I still cherish it. I think it's a very popular one that many people know, but I still like it, nonetheless...
The Race
Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failures face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A childrens race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasnt hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boys desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought My dad will be so proud.
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought hed win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldnt win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, Get up and win that race!
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit thats all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
Im hopeless as a runner now, I shouldnt try to race.
But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his fathers face
with a steady look that said again, Get up and win that race!
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
If Im to gain those yards, he thought, Ive got to run real fast!
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten...
but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
Theres no sense running anymore! Three strikes Im out! Why try?
Ive lost, so whats the use? he thought. Ill live with my disgrace.
But then he thought about his dad, who soon hed have to face.
Get up, an echo sounded low, you havent lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up! the echo urged him on, Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldnt quit.
So far behind the others now, the most hed ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times hed fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought hed won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, I didnt do so well.
To me, you won, his father said. You rose each time you fell. And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, Get up and win that race!
Here's one I just wrote...
All of Your Dreams
However far you've fallen,
Whatever you have done,
It doesn't matter to God,
Because He knows who's the One.
However long you've laid your head,
And cried the days away,
However long you've laid your head,
And didn't want to face the day.
It doesn't matter to the One,
He doesn't care what went wrong,
He wants to see you get up,
And continue to be strong.
Maybe you've lost what you've had,
It doesn't matter to Him,
He wants to see you get up,
And continue to the end.
Maybe you feel you've lost some rewards,
Does that matter here?
I don't think so,
He wants you to continue, to the very end.
So maybe you're tired of it,
Confused and don't want to go again,
Perhaps you're fearful you'll fall again,
Who cares, you're here...you'll win.
So even when you do stand up,
And proudly face each day,
When your cup runneth over with rewards,
Don't give up then...
When you've had your fill,
When life seems great,
Don't give up just then,
There's much more waiting for you! Just around the bend..
When the complexity of life,
Exceeds your wildest imagination,
Don't let it get you there,
Keep going, don't give up, He loves you, He cares.
When reality comes crashing in one day,
When you wake up and things have changed,
When you begin to see the Truth,
Don't let it get you, God knows it's not in vain.
So know that there's a way,
And yes, sometimes you just have to go through,
Through all the tears, blood, spit, and screams,
At the end of it all, you'll find all of your dreams.
Thank God for insurance, and thank God for second chances.
