Thoughts of Grace

Two of my favorite things, Hydrangeas and Spider plants

Good Morning
Isaiah 65:24
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Did you ask the Lord for patience?
Did you plead for it in prayer,
Then tribulations great befell you,
And you thought He didn’t care?
Oh, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered full your prayer;
“Tribulation worketh patience,”
That’s the gen you longed to wear.

Did you ask Him for submission?
Did you plead for it in prayer,
And such suffering great o’ertook you
That you thought He didn’t care?
Ah, my dear, He heard and answered
That true prayer with bitter fear;
For we only learn obedience
By things we suffer here.

‘Twas unselfishness you wanted,
Asked for it in prayer,
And the sacrifices He asked for
Seemed too great for you to bear?
Ah, He cared. He heard and answered,
Answered full your prayer;
For we learn to be unselfish
By the sacrifice we bear.

Did you ask the Lord for victory,
Plead for it in prayer.
And life’s battle surged around you,
Hid His face so fair?
Ah, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered your own prayer;
For we learn to be victorious,
By the daily cross we bear.

Did you ask to be made humble,
And for strength its fruit to bear;
Then the way you were tormented
Made you fell He didn’t care?
Well, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered deepest prayer;
Humility and strength to bear it
Come to those who know life’s care.

We count not things we’re seeing,
But the things which are above,
For things we see are fleeting,
But above is God and love
The big things beyond this earth life
And unseen by us today;
But there everlasting beauty
Will be ours to keep for aye.
~~~Josephine Hope Westervelt

Before I call . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie