I often view life as a march, one foot in front of the other while people around you either cheer or tell you that you’ll never make it. Some folks point out things like your lack of college degree or the fact that you’ve made some mistakes. Somewhere above it all is God, silently, strongly, lovingly…. urging us on. Just when we’re about to throw in the towel, there He is with a whisper that says keep going.
Did you ever have a dream that you continued to pursue even when everyone told you it was too hard or that you would fail? Or that you shouldn’t even try? I don’t believe that.
It can be very difficult to be in that place, when you’re just fighting to stay on course and do your thing. But if you listen, somewhere in your heart you’ll feel God’s encouragement… keep going, child….
This poem is an old one, from my A New Dish and is also now included in the book Poiema.
Keep Going, Child
A blurry destination
in the distance up ahead.
It whispers to me,
“Make it known,
you’ll do all that you said.”
The faintest hint of road map
shows a course that I might take.
A sign ahead says,
“Ignore the fools that tell you
mistakes are all you’ll make.”
Bright lights upon the darkness,
come out to aid the task.
They shine on, urging,
“Your questions will be answered
but you’ll never know unless you ask.”
When exhaustion slows my steps
and adds new lines upon my face,
a gentle breeze will soothe me, saying,
“Keep going, child, and feel the strength
of my never-ending grace.”
© Cherie Burbach, “Keep Going Child,” A New Dish, 2005