But cannot maintain your reputation.
I can BUY you beautiful cloths,
But cannot make you lovely inside.
I can CONSIDER you some freedom,
But cannot let you take advantage.
I can DOUBT you in your honesty,
But cannot make you tell the truth.
I can EMBRACE you during sorrow,
But cannot take the pain away from you.
I can FORGIVE you for not obeying,
But cannot be responsible for your actions.
I can GIVE you the directions,
But cannot follow to guide you there.
I can HELP you with your goals,
But cannot achieve them for you.
I can INSIST you do what’s right,
But cannot keep you from doing wrong.
I can JOIN you in your life,
But cannot live it for you.
I can KEEP you in my heart,
But cannot stop you from leaving home.
I can LOVE you unconditionally,
But cannot force you to accept it.
I can MAKE you rules to follow,
But cannot honor them for you.
I can NOURISH you with kindness,
But cannot make you be grateful.
I can OFFER you advise,
But cannot accept it for you.
I can PRAY you believe in god,
But cannot discriminate in your beliefs.
I can QUESTION you about your friends,
But cannot tell you who they will be.
I can RESPECT you in your decisions,
But cannot choose them for you.
I can SHOW you how to share,
But cannot prevent you from being selfish.
I can TEACH you things you do not know,
But cannot make you learn them.
I can UNDERSTAND you have emotions,
But cannot express your feelings for you.
I can VEIL you from harm,
But cannot fight your battles for you.
I can WARN you about drugs and alcohol,
But cannot refrain you from using them.
I can XCEL you in knowledge,
But cannot provide you with all the answers.
I can YIELD (give) you with what I have,
But cannot furnish you with everything.
I can ZEAL (accept) you as you are,
But cannot control your behavior.