Luke 9:23

This is a poem that my friend, Peter Ngo wrote recently. He gave me permission to share it here. It was especially powerful to me because I know his story, but even without, I hope it will encourage you as much as it encouraged (and inspired) me.

Luke 9:23

a cruel rhyme i once heard from me,

it went

smile, smile, all the while

smile, smile, all the while

when you search and find nothing but darkness within

smile, smile, all the while

when you choose to do evil and trade good for sin

smile, smile, all the while

when your friends go away but their shadows remain

smile, smile, all the while

when your hope seems forgotten but your shame's still your stain

smile, smile, all the while

when your arms grow colder and your heart's still as stone

smile, smile, all the while

when your labor is fruitless and your toil's in vain

when your mouth fills with bile, when you've fallen again

when you're broken again

when you're broken again

smile, smile, all the while.

(a cruel rhyme i once told to me,

a cruel lie i once sold to me,

it went

smile, smile, all the while)

but a nobler hymn i'll yet sing in me

and a better song i'll let ring in me, it goes

take up the cross, go another mile.

though you search and find nothing but darkness within

look to the cross, go another mile

though you choose to do evil and trade good for sin

take back the cross, go another mile

though your friends go away while their shadows remain

you'll be one in the spirit, just another mile

though your hope seems forgotten while your shame's still your stain

you'll be crowned in the heavens, just another mile

though your arms grow colder and your heart's still as stone

ask the Lord for his leading, go another mile

when your labor is fruitless and your toil's in vain

when your mouth fills with bile, when you've fallen again

when i'm broken again

i'll take back the cross,

i'll smile,

i'll go another mile