Poems
Contentment
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;
I ask Thee for a patient mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad and joyful smiles,
And 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 some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.
Whatever in this world I am,
In whatsoe’er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate,
And a work of lowly love to do
For the Lord on Whom I wait.
So 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.
There are briers besetting every path,
Which call for constant care;
There is a cross in every lot,
And an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee,
Is happy everywhere.
In service which Thy love appoints
There are no bonds for me,
For my secret heart has learned the truth
Which makes Thy children free,
And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.
Obedience
Dear Good, teach me the reason why
I shouldn’t have my way.
Oh, show me plainly that it is
A great mistake to disobey.
But still I ought to see
That mother knows what I should do,
And what is best for me.
Teach me to be obedient.
Oh, make me understand
That, if I mind when I am young,
I must grow worthy to command.
Oh, God, I need Your guiding hand
To lead me surely day by day;
I need Your wisdom, so I’ll see
That all the truest girls obey.