Poems

All day I wandered in the valley, The valley of Achor, full of trouble, dark and drear; Until at eve Wearily I climbed the mountain, looking for the view, But disappointed found Only the clouds about me. Sadly I cried, "O God, I cannot see.

Does light hate darkness? No, all unaware, It banishes each shadow. Does truth hate The lie that it dissolves? It knows it not, And this unknowing puts the lie to rout, Removes, erases it from consciousness.

Wherever I may be, His Word Comes like a challenge newly heard, Yet old of meaning, with the ring Of timeless Truth re-echoing Along the passage of dark days. Bewildered in this mortal maze That men call life, I pause to hear The guiding promise, and all fear Is pierced and shattered by the sword Of His quick and powerful Word.

Are we not serving when we wait on God? And doing this, may we not prove That in this very serving we are loving Him? And each may have the joy of doing this, Perhaps expressed in quietness—a silence filled with peace— Or oftentimes through spoken words With gentleness put forth. Whatever seems to be the need, Love ever waits to bless Each one who firmly stands Unmoved, in trusting faithfulness.

A blackbird from an elm, the topmost part, Was lifting up to God his inmost heart In gratitude. Unbounded joy arose, too, like a flood Within my heart; more singing rose and grew, And then I knew: "This is my Father's business," this for all The only work there is—truly to be, To glorify His nature, and His praise Show forth; in Him be glad, rejoice always In Truth.

Each day that comes to me is a new day, God's day, in which He will disclose to me another way, more opportunity to manifest His graciousness in word and deed. He will unfold His plan for me yet more in this new day in which old things have passed away, all things are new—new thoughts, new words, new deeds.

Here in the battle's din I hear God's Word; No other sound is heard. The strife is stilled, And I am filled With consciousness of immortality.

Once shone a star in Bethlehem's dark night, When angels sang of glory in each ray. While Wisemen from the East beheld the light, And shepherds knelt in humble joy to pray.

Above the tumult of the earth, Though peace may seem afar, Can still be heard the heavenly song And still be seen the star! Oh, may we, as the Magi wise, Have hearing ears and seeing eyes.

Light the candle, stand it tall, And set no Christmas tree beside it; Let only this brave light be all— No tinsel string or frosted glass to hide it. O boy, upon far battlefield, This candle is to herald dawn, To signify for Truth another shield, And God forever with His son.