Papa, Are You Ready?

Willie brought his lit­tle Bi­ble

With a grave and thought­ful look

In the eyes he lift­ed to me

From the pag­es of the book;

Tell me what this means

dear Pa­pa?

And he read me from God’s word

What it says of be­ing rea­dy

For the com­ing of the Lord.

Are you rea­dy for His com­ing

Be that com­ing soon or late?

Will you go and meet Him glad­ly

When he knock­eth at the gate?

No! I can­not meet Him glad­ly

I’m not rea­dy now

I know

And it may be that His foot­steps

Even now are at the door.

When I told him of the mean­ing

Of the words that he had read

He was si­lent for a mo­ment

Then looked up at me and said:

Tell me

are you rea­dy

Pa­pa?

O the child could lit­tle know

How the sim­ple quest­ion thrilled me

As in shame I an­swered

No!

If you can’t tell when He’s com­ing

I should think you’d want to be

Always rea­dy

said my Wil­lie

Looking grave­ly up at me.

Should He come to­night and call you

You would have to say to Him:

I’m not rea­dy

O dear Pa­pa!

And his eyes with tears were dim.

Then I clasped my dar­ling clos­er

Smitten with a sud­den fear

For the words that he had spok­en

Seemed to bring life’s end so near

And my heart cried

O my Mas­ter

There shall be no more de­lay

Make me rea­dy for Thy com­ing

Be that com­ing when it may!

Are you rea­dy for His com­ing

Be that com­ing soon or late?

Will you go and meet Him glad­ly

When he knock­eth at the gate?

Yes

I’m rea­dy now to meet Him

Be that com­ing soon or late;

I can run and meet Him glad­ly

When He knock­eth at the gate!