Contentment. For My Mother
I am content to be
What God has made me: honour and renown
I seek not from this world, nor fear its frown.
God knows and honours me. His child and heir
He made me; then what matters it if here
Unknown and poor I live,—a little while,
And I shall bask in His benignant smile
To all eternity.
I am content to do
What God has bid me: He, the Master, knows
What work I am best fit for, and He shows
Me how to do it. His command is law;
His the responsibility. In awe
And fear of failure, I seek to obey
And leave results to Him, and daily pray
To be more faithful, true.
I am content to go
Where God sees fit to send me: everywhere
His presence I can feel, His sweet voice hear,
His footprints see, His guiding hand discern,
His loving-kindness taste, His precepts learn.
Each step, though dark and difficult the way,
Leads me but nearer to eternal day—
Farther from sin and woe.
I am content to take
Life’s good and ill: the hand that holds the rod,
And blessings too, is guided by my God.
He knows best which I need the most, and will
My cup with joy and sorrow wisely fill.
I wish to listen only to His voice
That bids me in prosperity rejoice,
Or suffer for His sake.
I am content to wait
Till Jesus calls me home.—’Tis true I long
To join in that celestial, happy throng,
And sing His praise, and see Him as He is,
And taste the joys of ransomed souls in bliss;
But still, resigned I wait at His command
Until He come to take me by the hand,
And lead me through the gate.
Rev. F. J. Ochse.
Beaconsfield.