Questions & Answers
Dear Father-Mother, I have often heard In morning's dewy gold, the startled cry And flutter of some hungry baby bird, And seen the tender mother swiftly fly With reassuring comfort to his aid: How little cause had he to be afraid! When I, like that small nestling, Father dear, Grow fretful, or impatient of Thy care, Remind me that the love which healed his fear Is present for our comfort everywhere; And that in peaceful trust we find Thee still, Not knowing aught beside Thy perfect will. And thus, dear Father-Mother, I would grow More tender still to serve Thee, glad and strong; Like that swift mother bird, so I would show Love's presence to the heart that suffers wrong.
Dear God, I need not strive for worldly honor, Nor for the praise of men— "The secret place" is where I long to dwell. As lowly flowers their sweetness freely give From out some ruin or in shaded glen, So may I dwell content, whate'er my lot, And live to glorify Thy name.
He taught the world that sickness was a wraith Which fled before the light of Love divine, That purest understanding, grown from faith, Could prove that Truth of which men sought a sign, Subdue the tempest, quiet stormy seas And cast out devils from the hearts of men, Declare unreal the phantom of disease, And bid the blind at last behold again. Upon the Mount he taught his own to pray The prayer of faith that heals and purifies, Forgiving even one who dared betray; He pierced the veil of error's dark disguise And, lifted past the bounds of human sight, Left to all men the miracle of light.
There is a tale of olden Bible days, That selfless valor's just award portrays. Tis told, with every entrance closely barred To his ancestral town by foes on guard, That in the heart of David longing woke, And, stirred by joys recalled, this wish he spoke: Oh, that someone would give, my thirst to sate, Water of Bethlehem's well, beside the gate! At this, three mighty men, with bold emprise, Brake through the hostile lines; secured the prize; Then, triumphing, their leader's side regained.
It is not mine to plan, or worry so. Mine to reflect, nor question as I go; Mine just to let Thy will be done in me, And know that naught can mar Thy perfect harmony, That all of joy and peace and happiness is mine If I but strive to mold my will to Thine.
O Love divine, whene'er my footsteps falter, Because I cannot seem to see the way, I thank Thee I can reach out in the darkness, And from my heart rejoicingly can say, I can be happy anywhere, In any place, since God is there. It may be that Thy gracious plans may take me To scenes and places hitherto unknown.
Lift up my head above the mists that rise from earth, So that my eyes, no longer shaded by the dark, May see the light that ever shines above. Encircle me with walls of mercy, truth, and love, That perfect sphere wherein true liberty is found— A sure protection from the shafts of ill.
Not in the whirlwind was the voice divine That called Elijah to more radiant light; Not in the flame, nor in the seeming might Of earthquake, striving vainly to define Deific power. Fearless and firm he stood, Ready to bow the head—to make his choice, Firm in the faith of everlasting good— Waiting with fervent heart the "still small voice.
At times the path is lonely, dark, and drear; With faltering feet the upward way we wend; Afar off seems the journey's longed-for end, Through mists of doubt, discouragement, and fear; When, like a song, there come these words of cheer, Of positive assurance: Lo, I send Before thee always angels to attend Thy every step—behold their presence near! And comforted and strengthened, then we take A heartier hold on Truth, the path pursue With firmer tread, each steep ascent to make For gain of clearer views, each one more true, A promise of that perfect one to be: Love's allness known—all life, O God, in Thee!
The spring has come; and everywhere The scent of lilacs fills the air. O doubting heart, gaze on this bloom Brought forth from winter's icy tomb, And know the Father's loving care Is with His children everywhere.