Struggles, Toils and Troubles

by Fr. Jonathan Atchley

Deep is the soil, deeper the sod

From which we’re bred, flesh and blood.

Born of the earth, yet men of God.

Fruitless our toil, made to leave

The goods of earth, as through a sieve,

For all we strive without reprieve.

A lesson here, though, we can take,

As children sleepy, cry then wake--

Onward we go for the future’s sake.

Our striving, then? Yes, continue on,

Your life lived well is a worthy song.

For ‘tis not here, but there, we belong.

From God we come, to God we go,

What happens here, may wisdom bestow:

If tears now reign—heaven’s joys overflow.