The world's best times begin with me
Saint Augustine watched kingdoms fall,
As he heard God's constant call;
Though troubled days surrounded him,
He kept the light when times were dim.
He saw that nations rise and stand
By choices made throughout the land;
For what we cherish, what we do,
Returns to shape our world anew.
What's done in darkness, out of sight,
May soon walk in the broad daylight;
The things we tolerate today,
May guide tomorrow's chosen way.
Children watch us and we're heard,
They learn from actions more than word;
Not merely by what we say,
But by the lives we live each day.
We may see roads worn rough and bare,
May find injustice here and there;
We may know hardship, want, and strife,
And many burdens in this life.
Yet Augustine would still proclaim,
That virtue is the greater gain;
For wealth and comfort fade away,
But character is built to stay.
When Christ is Master of our home,
We never truly walk alone;
When dawn awakes the earth anew,
His Grace shines bright for all we do.
When we decline to cheat or lie,
And faithfulness becomes our cry;
When honest labour fills our hands,
God's Goodness through our living stands.
Integrity, a lighthouse bright,
Guides us through darkness with its light;
Though wealth may not be our measure,
We possess far greater treasure.
Let pure words cross our lips each day,
Let noble thoughts guide all our way;
Let worthy deeds our pathway mark,
Like shining candles in the dark.
Streams of holiness that from household flows,
Will water every field it knows;
If that stream is clean and clear,
Blessings will spread both far and near.
For goodness overcomes decay,
Truth outlasts each passing day;
Love conquers hatred, fear, and pride,
With Christ forever at our side.
Like beacons shining from a hill,
Holy hearts can brighten still;
Bringing hope where sorrows start,
And peace to every weary heart.
The times are good when we are good,
And live as every Christian should;
The times grow great when faith grows strong,
When kindness fills our daily song.
Times become most blessed indeed,
When Christ shines through each word and deed;
So let us pray and strive each day,
To walk with Him along the way.
Then, come what may beneath the sun,
The victory through our Christ is won;
For in His light we clearly see:
The world's best times begin with me.
The poem is a reflection on St Augustine's quote from Sermon 80:8;
"Bad times, hard times - this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times; such as we are, such are the times."
These words are strong and true. So as to be true to the wisdom of St Augustine, let our words be pure; our thoughts noble, and our actions honourable. Then the times will indeed be good, regardless of the troubles that surround us. The wholesome spiritual water flowing from our families and communities will nourish the wider society. Goodness eventually overcomes what is degraded and corrupt. Truth outlasts falsehood. Love conquers hatred. Above all, Christ gives a peace that no circumstances can take away.
Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "St Augustine blessing flowing water"
