My child, I know thy sorrows,
Thine every grief I share;
I know how thou art tested,
And, what is more – I care.
Think not I am indifferent
To what affecteth thee;
Thy weal and woe are matters
Of deep concern to Me.
But, child, I have a purpose
In all that I allow;
I ask thee then to trust Me,
Though all seems dark just now.
How often thou hast asked Me
To purge away thy dross!
But this refining process
Involves for thee – a cross.
There is no other pathway
If thou would’st really be
Conformed unto the image
Of Him Who died for thee.
Thou can’st not be like Jesus
Till self is crucified;
And as a daily process
The cross must be applied.
Just as the skillful gardener
Applies the pruning knife,
E’en so, I too would sever
The worthless from thy life.
I have but one sole object –
That thou should’st fruitful be!
And is it not thy longing
That I much fruit should see?
Then shrink not from the training
I needs must give to thee;
I know just how to make thee
What I would have thee be.
Remember that I love thee!
Think not I am unkind,
When trials come to prove thee,
And joy seems left behind.
‘Tis but a little longer
Until I come again;
What now seems so mysterious
Will all be then made plain.
Take courage then; and fear not!
Press forward to the prize,
A crown of life awaits thee,
Glory before thee lies!
–Alice C. Lefroy
So touching. Its a prayer for me. Thank u Alice
This is something we all need to hear at times Nkechi, at one time I was bed-bound for thirteen years with illness and this piece meant a great deal to me.
<3
God bless
This poem came to me many years ago at a time of desperation. By it, I was comforted, and have treasured it through the years. Many thanks to the author and for all who make it available. God bles you!
Thank you, yes words are so powerful. God bless Geoff