Precursor to the Prize

Sometimes it rouses great concern 

At treacherous trends being set...

when the downward slope is so gradual

That it doesn't seem too serious... yet

The single step may seem harmless

but each step will always precede

Another, and we should be wary

of where given Time, they will lead

 There is a way which seems right to a man,

 But its end is the way of death.

Prov.14:12

The price precedes the payoff

The grit precedes the goal

Desire precedes the destiny

Where death unveils the whole

Then, friend do not grow weary

The climb precedes the view

And faith precedes the finish line

Where all will be made new

Reaching precedes the holding
And pride precedes the fall
Planting precedes the harvest, love
(ah, seeds do not stay small!)

The hurt precedes the healing

The bud precedes the rose

And cross precedes the crown that waits

After Time’s curtain close

The want precedes the getting

The prayer precedes the peace

And trust in God precedes the day

When need of it will cease

© Janet Martin