A Crown of Life

I came upon this day of days,

To hear the judgement trial;

And, smiling, joyfully I watched

Thy final, weary mile.

I called his name instead of Thine

When Pilate asked my notion,

And there I on my mount of pride

Set God's own plan in motion.

I watched them as they nailed Thy hands

Upon the deadly tree;

And, Jesus, here I laughed at Thee

As Thou died for me.

And while I laughed at Thy pain,

I should have seen Thee pleading;

For my soul still Thou begged of me,

E'en as Thee stood there bleeding.

And when at times I found me lost,

I found my heart was broken;

"Oh, God, Thou could not lovest me--"

I ignored love's deepest tokens.

And finally when Thou took me home,

And here I found my rest;

Thee took my hand in Thine own

And, shamed, I was blessed.

You led me to the Throne of God:

"Here, child, take thy place."

And as He placed on me the crown,

My own tears marked my face.

09.24.17