In crossing the street on a wet muddy day,
A dear little child was heard proudly to say:
"See, father, I’ve walked in your steps all the way!"

The path, fellow-pilgrim, we oft thoughtless make_
Is that what we’d like our dear children to take?
Perhaps we’d not thought there was so much at stake.

Have we, as we walked, said, Not only for me
This step, but for those who must come after me:
It might be a misstep for eternity.

Would we in God’s pathway have them to walk here_
Though costing them sorrow and many a tear?
Or would we not want them to come quite so near,

But find through this world, for each dear little one,
A pathway less thorny, and smoother to run,
Where pleasures and joys of this world might be won?

To walk through the world as we’ll wish we had done,
When we shall behold the blest face of God’s Son,
All hungering to hear His most welcome "Well done."

Ah, then we shall value as ne’er we have done,
The footsteps through earth of each dear little one.
And ’tis not too late if we’ve not yet begun.

Oh, then, let us walk in the steps of our Lord;
Just follow the path as marked out in His Word,
And pray that the little ones’ steps may accord.

Then how we’ll rejoice in that soon coming day,
To hear the dear children triumphantly say:
"See, father, I’ve walked in your steps all the way!"

(From Help and Food, Vol. 33.)