Psalm 31:15.
FATHER, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;
And the changes that are sure to come,
I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a present mind
Intent on pleasing Thee.
I ask Thee for a thankful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And to wipe the weeping eyes,
And a heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.
I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be dealt with as a child,
And guided where to go.
Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate;
And a work of holy love to do
For the Lord on whom I wait.
I ask Thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied;
And a mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If Thou be glorified.
And if some things I do not ask
In my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to Thee--
More careful than to serve Thee much,
To please Thee perfectly.
There are briers besetting every path
That call for patient care:
There is a crook in every lot,
And a need for earnest prayer;
But a lonely heart that leans on Thee
Is happy everywhere.
In a service that Thy love appoints
There are no bonds for me,
For my secret heart is taught the truth
That makes Thy children "free;"
And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.
-- ANNA L. WARING
From The Changed Cross and other religious poems, 1872.
Free versions of this text are online. Follow this link to find download options.
