There is a Pattern in our Lives

There is a pattern in our lives
That ever cycles as one strives
For when we're righteous upon the land
We are blessed with materials more at hand

And with such easiness of the way
We're prone to forget the need to pray
Then on our own we're filled with pride
That our morality begins to slide

Till off the straight and narrow we walk
Heeding the worldy who laugh and mock
And soon perhaps through greed we collapse
As independence suffers from this lapse

And as we're discontent we distrust religion
Thus, ignoring our past poor decisions
And determined to experience for ourselves
We know dreariness and our hard heart swells

What will happen next? But, a hunger to come back
Unto the roots of pure love felt on the right track
And out of the depths of misery comes a soulful longing
For an old trusted friend, and a sense of belonging

And as humility forms we shed drama that dismays
To be restored unto God's teachings and His ways
Here we find earthly angels who guide us to high ground
Where there is newness of life and a change that's profound

Then again blessings come as we pray unto thanks
Born out of desires to always remember
Thus we're found serving with our fellow Saints
Enjoying the fulness as a returned member

May our pride cycle continually disband and shorten
Until it's replaced with an eternally straight path
Till our lives are no longer misshappened
But, prepared to have all that the Father hath

Learning the Lessons of the Past
M. Russell Ballard
Ensign 2009, 31