This Age-Long Minute

“Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,
Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,
What matters beating wind and tossing billow
If only we are in the boat with Thee?

Hold us in quiet through the age-long minute
While Thou art silent and the wind is shrill :
Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, are in it;
Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will?”
― Amy Carmichael

Drawn

God so calls as He allures;  He does not force, but draw.

The freedom of the will is not taken away, but the stubbornness of it is conquered. 

‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power’ (psalm 110:3). 

Thomas Watson, “All Things for Good”

The Thorn

          Crown of Thorn plant on our front porch

The Thorn

by Martha Snell Nicholson

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne

and begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.

I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart

I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.

This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou has given me.”

He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.”

I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore.

As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace.

He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.