I hurried down the path of life

I hurried down the path of life, determined to succeed;

to make all haste and never slacken my conceited speed.

But then a pebble of some kind into my boot did fall,

and I began to anguish that I'd have to stop and stall.

I felt it grind beneath my heel; the pain was growing strong --

but I decided to keep running, though the road was long.

At last in bitter agony I fell upon my knees,

untied the laces to my boots, and felt the throbbing ease.

I shook my boot and out of it there dropped not just a stone --

but a precious gem that was more valuable than a throne! 

All those weary miles of anguish I had let it pain me,

when I could have let it a great mansion surely gain me.

Impediments may come from God, not to hurt or harm us,

but to give us courage and perhaps to even charm us!