God's Hall of Fame

This poem had a profound impact on me as a teenager when I read it in John Wooden's book "They Call Me Coach."

God's Hall of Fame

To have your name inscribed up there is greater yet by far,
Than all the halls of fame down here and everyone man-made star.
This crowd on earth, they soon forget the heroes of the past,
They cheer like mad until you fall and that's how long you last.

I tell you, friend, I would not trade my name, however small,
If written there beyond the stars in that celestial hall,
For any famous name on earth or glory that they share,
I'd rather be an unknown here and have my name up there."