Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work on Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And at times I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
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 wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
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 saints had often trod;
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well;
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown
