it's not for me to judge myself,
nor what's on view on shadow's shelf.
No man measures His own steps
but God alone will plumb his depths.

I thank my friends for standing guard,
when failing light makes seeing hard.
My only wish that they'd forgive
my tardiness -- care's leaking sieve.

My faith has been my strength and shield,
in God through Christ my fate is sealed.
He loves me more than I deserve --
He fills those gaps on journey's curve.

My sweet, sweet wife, what can I say,
this debt I owe I can't repay?
For she was there when I was not,
she saved love's home from evil's plot.

God's blessed my children -- gifted grands,
they'll bring God's truth in foreign lands,
Though I will vanish from man's sight --
my feet march in my off-spring's light.

To Christ my Lord I lift my face,
and thank Him for my walk with grace.
And long before the Earth was born,
He saw my birth, He saw my form.

R.Owen 12/11/2018