My heart was heavy with thoughts of self,
Tossed hither and yon with doubt and fear;
And I longed for the rest that was promised "there"
To recompense me for the burden "here."
I fought with discouragement weak with the strife,
And hoped with a courage born of despair,
That sometime and somewhere the Father would hear
My cry in the dark, and answer my prayer.
But my eyes were closed and I could not see
The floods of light that enveloped me;
And the shadow and chill of perpetual night
Seemed taking the place of the warmth and the light.
And the ears so deaf from the jar and the roar
Of earth's machinery, heard no more
The heavenly music, sweet and strong,
Of the ringing chorus of infinite song,
Till a messenger fleet from the shores of peace
From my dream of sense roused me at length,
And I heard a voice, small, still, and sweet:
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
Then I knew that the sun was shining still,
The joy-bells rang for me their chime;
I had proved that the promise of God was sure,
My prayer was answered and peace was mine.
