Debt to God

While I was in high school, I received the following poem in a mailing from a Catholic religious order that was encouraging vocations to the priesthood. This poem meant a lot to me then and means a lot to me now. Even though I never became a priest, this poem reflects the motivation for how I, as a layperson, have tried to live my life ever since.

I am forever indebted to God by providing the unusual opportunity for me to be able to join with other young Christians at weekly “prayer-and-share” meetings when in high school. We met for over three years in the homes of two very caring families. The friends, fun, faith, and personal and spiritual growth that came from attending these faith sharing meetings were a true blessing in my life. They were even where I first got to know my wonderful wife.

The following poem expresses how, with the deepest gratitude, I have continually tried to repay my profound debt to God for the deep change God brought about in my life, especially during high school. I hope this poem is read at my funeral, as a fitting testimony of how I have tried to live my life, with God’s help, as best I could.

DEBT TO GOD

I’d like to think when life is done

That I had filled a needed post

That here and there I’d paid my fare

With more than idle talk and boast,

That I had taken gifts divine

The breath of life and manhood fine

And tried to use them now and then

In service for my fellow man.

I’d hate to think when life is through

That I had lived my round of years

A useless kind that leaves behind

No record in this vale of tears,

That I had wasted all my days

By treading only selfish ways

And that this world would be the same

If it had never known my name.

I’d like to think that here and there

When I am gone, there shall remain

A brighter spot that might have not

Existed had I toiled for gain.

That someone’s better life and smile

Shall prove my life had been worthwhile,

That I had paid with work divine

My debt to God for life so fine.