An Ideal

MARY I. MESECHRE

If I could live to God one single day,—
One single day, from early dawn of light
Till the soft twilight deepens into night,—
Could curb to gentle speech my hasty tongue
And check the words impatiently outflung;
Could think no thoughts but those of loving kind
And hold my peace unmarred by hostile mind;
Could do each daily deed in gracious wise,
Secure against intrusion or surprise;—
Methinks could one whole day by me be spent
In speech and thought and act as God hath meant,
Henceforth I then could live to God alway.

If I could live to God one single hour,—
For that brief span, submitting to His will,
Could know the comfort of Christ's "Peace, be still,"
Quelling my turbulence to tranquil calm,
Healing my restless spirit with sweet balm,
Hushing my warring senses into rest
As grieving babe is soothed on mother's breast;
One single hour wherein no hasty word
Should from my love-enguarded lips be heard,
When every act of mine should be so mild
As to be worthy of my Father's child,—
Then would I live to magnify Love's power.

If I could live to God one moment brief,—
Could lift my face to Him in perfect trust,
Knowing His love unfailing, ever just,
Is ready to my aid when baseless fear
O'erwhelms my sense of Him as ever near;
Could turn to Him at once unfalteringly
When evil threatens those I love, or me,
Secure that He who knoweth good alone
Will in that knowledge safely guard His own!—
And then I hear His voice: Yea, I do keep
The field of thy desire, whence thou shalt reap
Sweet moments full of trust, blest hours of peace,
And perfect days; nor shall my keeping cease
Until thine every want doth find relief.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

An Ideal

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access