Father, I Know That All My Life

written by


« Reload image

"My times are in Thy hand." - Psalm XXXI.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 thoughtful 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 sympathise.

  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 treated as a child,
 And guided where I 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 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.

  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 - not to serve Thee much,
 But to please Thee perfectly.

  There are briers besetting every path,
 That call for patient care;
  There is a cross in every lot,
 And an earnest need for prayer;
  But a lowly heart that leans on Thee
  Is happy anywhere.

  In a service which Thy will appoints,
 There are no bonds for me,
  For my inmost heart is taught "the truth"
 That makes Thy children "free;"
  And a life of self-renouncing love
 Is a life of liberty.

© Anna Laetitia Waring