Clarence was the boss’ fave, his special right hand man,
The greatest of intentions, he had the best of plans.
But everything that Clarence did, he never finished up,
Poor Clarence never cleaned his plate; he left coffee in his cup.
The few things Clarence finished, every corner he would cut,
He tried to build a mansion; it turned out as a hut.
He went to raise the flag up and raise it to the top,
He only pulled it half way up, when he had mind to stop.
Now everyone thought tragedy had happened once again,
But it was only Clarence, who would not finish what he’d begin.
The people they all called him Clare, the first half of his name,
And everything that he did, it turned out just the same.
Now Clarence’s boss he did not know, he did not have a clue,
He lived a thousand miles away; he didn’t know just how he’d do.
He told Clarence he’d like to build a big house right in town.
He asked Clarence if he’d do the job, he’d pay him money down.
Clarence had a silver tongue; his boss was sure impressed,
But when Clarence started building it, you can guess the rest.
“Only use half the nails, half is quite enough,
Space the boards at twice the norm, that should be plenty tough.
Only brick half the walls, sidings just as good,
Do not use expensive oak, but use the cheaper wood.
Forget about the craftsmen, they simply cost too much,
Find the cheapest labor, the ones who like to rush.
Money saved is money earned and that goes in my purse,
And by the time it falls apart, the old boss will ride the hearse.”
When sloppy Clarence he had cut every corner known to man,
The whole town gazed in wonder, at how this house did stand.
His boss had come when it was done, to see this thing of beauty,
And to pat old Clarence on the back, he thought he’d done his duty.
As Clarence gave his boss the keys, his boss he told him this,
“Clarence you’re my right-hand man and this is what I wish.
This house you’ve built with utmost skill, I give to you my friend,
And all the care you put in it, returns as you did send.
I asked you to build the finest home and spare not any cost,
All extra work that you put in was gained and was not lost.
Whatever that you did for me returns right back to you,
And all that you have done for me for you I also do.”
Now you who read, do you now heed, these words that you have read,
The house you make for Jesus’ sake will one day hold your bed.
So do your best on life’s short quest and give it all you’ve got,
For God above do all in Love, what’s built won’t rust or rot.
Everything we do will bring honor or disgrace,
And all we sow in earthly rows we reap in yonder place.
For God is the rewarder of good and bad alike,
And grace and mercy is what He has for those He finds in Christ.
But with your hands you join with Him to do a mighty job,
Eternity is what’s at stake don’t let the devil rob.
Now you may take these words you read straight to heaven’s bank,
And to our God and His Holy Son, we give our utmost thanks.
Tertius
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
Galatians 6:7
A note about “Halfmast Claire”: The idea was taken from a parable in a sermon when I was a kid. I figured if I could remember it for forty-some years, the kids might just take something out of the classroom.