Shared by Amanda T. (read her blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com)
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I would not have the
restless will
That hurries to and
fro,
Seeking for some
great thing to do,
Or wondrous thing to
know;
I would be guided as
a child,
And led where’er I
go.
I ask Thee for the
daily strength,
To none that asked
denied,
A mind to blend with
outward life,
While keeping at Thy
side;
Content to fill a
little space
If Thou be glorified.
Author Unknown
(verse from Ester Ried, by Isabella Alden)
5 comments:
That is exactly how I feel at the moment,just filling a little space for Gods glory. :)
Blessings,
Meggie
Oh, I love this verse! :-) Thank you so much!
And as an aside, I highly recommend Ester Reid to older sisters. It is an inspiring (and convicting) read!
Wishing you all many blessings,
Patience
prc(at)calicoacres(dot)com
@ Meggie: Yes, I know how you feel. These words have often encouraged me as well! Our goal should always be to live for Christ whether doing much or little.
@ Patience: Totally back you up on the endorsement of Ester Reid (as you well-know :))
~Amanda
www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com
Just so you know, this was a well loved hymn in Pansy's [the author] Day. It was written by Anna Waring [1784-1859], a Welch poetess and hymn writer. Though very little is known about her since she was quiet and reserved, one biographer said that she had "written her heart into her hymns." The portion in Ester Ried is not complete however, and rest of the hymn speaks volumes:
----------------------------
Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a present mind intent on pleasing Thee.
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles, and to wipe the weeping eyes;
And a heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize.
I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go.
Wherever in the world I am, in whatso'er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;
And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait.
So I ask Thee for the daily strength, to none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified.
And if some things I do not ask in my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit filled the more with grateful love to Thee,
More careful, not to serve Thee much, but to please Thee perfectly.
There are briers besetting every path that call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot, and an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee is happy anywhere.
In a service which Thy will appoints there are no bonds for me;
For my inmost heart is taught "the truth" that makes Thy children "free"
And a life of self-renouncing love is a life of liberty.
And yes, I'm a fan of everything Isabella Alden wrote! However her niece, Grace Livingston Hill, continued writing under the name Pansy after co-authoring a few books with her aunt, so be careful. Grace's books tend to morph into "christian romance" without the insights and how-to-live-set-apart-unto-the-Lord, which tends to lead thoughts astray instead of turning you to God.
Blessings!
Beth
@Beth
Thank you so much for sharing the whole poem! Thanks also for your extra tid-bit on Isabella Alden. I didn't realize that Grace Livingston Hill authored some books under "Pansy." Would you happen to know which books she did? If you'd like, you may email me at withajoyfulnoise{at}gmail{dot}com.
~Amanda
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
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