Be Careful Of What You Wish For

Be careful what you long to hold,

For every glitter is not gold;

The heart may chase what eyes adore,

Then weep to find an empty store.

A man once begged for wealth untold,

For barns brimmed high and coffers bold;

He prayed for riches night and day,

Till God allowed them all his way.

His tables filled with finest bread,

Soft pillows cradled weary head;

Yet peace slipped quietly from sight,

And sleep no longer came at night.

His children drifted far from prayer,

Too busy for the Lord to care;

The gold he gained became a chain,

And pleasure slowly turned to pain.

Another wished for earthly fame,

To hear the crowds exalt her name;

She climbed the stage with shining grace,

While pride concealed her Savior’s face.

The world applauded loud and long,

They praised her smile, her gifted song;

Yet every cheer that filled the hall

Left emptiness beneath it all.

For fame can bloom like flowers in spring,

Then fade as quickly as they sing;

The soul that feeds on man’s applause

Will stumble far from Heaven’s cause.

A young man prayed for strength in fight,

To stand above in human might;

The Lord allowed the test to rise,

With storms concealed in darkened skies.

Through trials fierce and bitter flame,

He called upon the Savior’s name;

Then learned the strength he sought before

Was found in Christ—and nothing more.

So guard the wishes of your tongue,

And weigh the songs your heart has sung;

For God may grant what you pursue,

To teach what’s false and what is true.

Seek not the treasures moths destroy,

Nor fleeting crowns the world enjoys;

But seek the King with humble heart,

Whose grace will never fade nor part.

For when our wishes serve His will,

The restless soul grows peaceful still;

And every blessing from above

Becomes a testimony of love.