What Truly Lasts? A Letter to My Next of Kin

Aug 22

Why Earthly Prizes Lose Their Shine

I spent a lifetime focused on success, earning prizes, and collecting comforts. But when the dust settles, what truly lasts?

I wrote this poem as a “letter” to my own family—and maybe it will speak to you too as you consider your mortality and your family’s direction.

Letters to my next of kin

Leave a trail of where I've been

All the things I've said and done

All the prizes that I've won

All the houses that I built

And all my comforts stacked like quilts

These things made sense back in their day

But then their luster fell away

And what I want my kin to know

Is that these prizes lose their glow

This truth I found is not my own

My view was changed by Him alone

He chased me down to rescue me

From selfish gain and haughty glee

He took a heart of ancient stone

And gave His heart, a perfect clone

Now my heart of flesh is soft

And seeks no more a pious loft

Yes I fail His call at times

I stray from Him and cause great crimes

But always faithful God my friend

Seeks me out, my soul to mend

Now to see a neighbor's pain

I fix my deeds on others' gain

This new-found life is not my own

It's Him in me and Him alone.

And so this letter to my kin

I pray it shines when all is dim

Reminding you of what sustains

Bringing joy and breaking chains.

WGS 8.22.25

Bill Stark