In Daddy's Steps

I watched him playing around my door. 

My neighbor's little boy of four.

I wondered why a child would choose

To wear his dad's old worn-out shoes.

I saw him try with all his might

To make the laces snug and tight.

I smiled to see him walk, and then

He'd only step right out again.

I heard him say, his voice so glad,

"I want to be just like my dad."

I hope his dad his steps would choose

Safe for his son to wear his shoes.

And then a shout and cry of joy,

A "Hello Dad" and a "Hi-yu, boy!"

They walked along in measured stride

Each face aglow with love and pride.

"What have you done today, my lad?"
"I tried to wear your old shoes, Dad.

They're big, but when I am a man

I'll wear your shoes, I know I can."

They stopped and stood there hand in hand.

He saw his son's tracks in the sand.

His words—a prayer—came back to me,

"Lord, let my steps lead him to Thee."

—selected from the Sword Scrapbook II by Viola Walden