If I uplift you after someone has knocked you down,
If I make a little girl smile after someone else has made her frown,
If I improve man’s humanity to man somewhere in this world,
If I bring joy into the lives of
those whom others had caused pain,
then my living shall not be in vain.

If I grant you refuge when others wish to do you harm,
If I love you when you’ve only experienced hate,
If I am a peacemaker when you are demanding war,
If I am an angel to the innocent,
If I am an encouragement to you when you are suffering,
If I inspire you to achieve goals,
you never thought you’d obtain,
then my living shall not be in vain.

If I shine light into your heart when you are broken,
If I comfort you when you are friendless,
If I help you love every man as a brother, no matter the color,
If I am a Good Samaritan who helps you along the way,
If I extend you my hand, in an act of kindness,
knowing you cannot repay,
then my living shall not be in vain.

If I bring calmness into your world when confusion abounds,
If I help you restore your dignity and self esteem after you’ve been violated,
If I show you that your life is full of possibilities when at first you thought you were hopeless,
If I make you believe in yourself, and show you that you have nothing to lose,
but the world to gain,
then my living shall not be in vain.

If I make you feel welcomed when others have neglected you,
If I am as comfortable with a poor defenseless child as I am with a mighty king,
then I’ve accomplished my dream.
If I guide you when you are lost and provide shelter for you,
when by the storm you’ve been tossed,
then I’ve accomplished my dream.
If I help you reach your destination,
 even if you have to swim upstream,
then I've accomplished my dream.

Then at my days end, the Lord can welcome me home with singing and a smile,
and proclaim that my living has been worth while!