These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

The Measure of a Life

The measure of one's life on Earth,
how can we humans see?
The best we offer, what it's worth?
How lasting will it be?

The meager words we seem to speak,
the deeds we oft repeat.
If we the lasting Day could peek,
then be we chaff or wheat?

The dishes wash we every day.
The lawn we mow quite oft,
but does the Lord have aught to say,
or will a hat He doff?

The days of changing diapers come,
and go with blazing speed,
but when we're in them all the sum
is the tortoise's race we read.

We laugh, and play, and work, and live,
until we breathe our last.
The things we do, the hope we give,
what measure is the past?

Have others seen the Living Light
because we live for Him?
Will the future Day be free from night
because He saved from sin?

Salvation is of Christ Alone.
I have no good in me.
I'll stand before His lasting Throne
in Christ, so full and free.

His Grace entrusted to my heart,
how have I lived for Him?
The measure of my life from the start
is what His merits win.

by Jay O’Toole
on July 15th, 2021