The Fax of Life
A weekly inspiration, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley
October 23, 2005                                                  Volume 11 Number 5
 

THE FINAL INSPECTION....

The soldier stood and faced God,

which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,

 just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

 how shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek?

 To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders

 and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,

 can't always be a saint.

"I've had to work most Sundays,

 and at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,

 because the world is awfully rough.

"But, I never took a penny,

 that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,

 when the bills got just too steep.

"And I never passed a cry for help,

 though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,

 I've wept an unmanly tear.

"I know I don't deserve a place,

 among the people here.
They never wanted me around,

 except to calm their fears.

"If you've a place for me here, Lord,

 It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,

 but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,

 where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,

 for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

 you've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

 you've done your time in Hell."

                                         ---  Author Unknown,

                                                                  Forwarded by my brother, Bob

It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

 

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. All of its Clubs are independently-run community service groups.

• The Kiwanis Club of Scott's Valley normally meets at the Heavenly Café in Scott's Valley, CA, on Wednesdays at 7 am - see the Scott's Valley Kiwanis website @ http://svkiwanis.org for details; The Kiwanis Club of Rosemead normally meets on Thursdays at 12:10 in Rosemead, CA - see the Rosemead Kiwanis website @ http://rosemeadkiwanis.org for confirmation and directions. Visitors are welcome to join meetings of either club anytime.

• There is no charge to anyone for receiving the "Fax," which today is circulated by e-mail rather than literally by FAX. If you have been encouraged in any way by the message, pass it on by saying something encouraging to someone else during the week. To subscribe to the free weekly RKC Reporter, of which the "Fax" is an attachment, simply email kcrosemead@aol.com,

• Neither the Scott's Valley or Rosemead Kiwanis Clubs make any representations as to the accuracy of quotes or actions attributed to named individuals; material selected for the Fax of Life comes from a variety of sources and is chosen based solely on its presumed inspirational value to readers.