Life's Work

Life’s most precious moment,

 A baby boy or girl

Leaves a darkened chamber 

Born into this world,

Filled with hope and promise,

 Bringing joy and love,

Such a treasured blessing, 

Given from above.

Length of life’s not certain, 

For babe or child or man

Knows not when work is ending,

 That’s in our Father’s hands.

Our time may be a hundred years

 Or maybe just a day,

But when our work is ended 

We’ll put our tools away.

For some, this tool is special love,

 For others, words or deeds,

One may have an artist’s hands 

Or pilot ships at sea,

Some brighten days with laughter

Or touch the heart with tears,

In dignity with brevity 

Or living many years.

Each is just as special 

Whatever is the way 

That we are here to live our life 

Then in our grave to lay,

For that time comes to one and all,

 We are not here to stay,

We’ll do the work we’re sent to do

 Then put our tools away.

-Mary Hardy Melton