Love is Strength

REBA STEVENS

I sought for gifts,
And found within my grasp
The richest and most precious He may give,
For love was mine.
My heart was warm and glad within,
With different eyes I saw my fellow-man;
He was my brother—truly that.
I saw his need, and tenderly
Stretched out to him my hand.
"Lord, I must serve, must serve! But I am weak—
Give yet another gift—
Give strength!"

More than one time I pleaded thus with Him:
"Thou Giver of all good, give strength;
I must have strength!"
But still no new gift came.
So when the time of waiting seemed too long,
Then went I out to serve as best I might;
And lo! Love's answer met me on my way,
For as the sick were healed, the hungry fed,
Unto me, serving, came the voice of God,—
"Why ask for strength? Is not love yours?
Strength is but love in action—
Love itself is strength.
Go serve!"