Poem April 16, 1938 ISSUE

His Daily Task

MABEL CONE BUSHNELL

I wondered how he went about his daily work;
How did he do his daily tasks, and were they hard?
Complain? Of course he never did.
One could not comprehend complaint from Jesus—
He who served mankind.
He must have done his duties well, for in all things
He knew perfection. The Scriptures tell us plainly
That even as a boy he left his play
To speak of heavenly things, and in the temple
Among the learned men of that far time,
He taught the doctors of the law and those
Who thought philosophies and mortal dreams
Were true. He listened to them and then showed them
Better ways—this child of twelve,
Who might have been at play all undisturbed.

His daily work was loving God. I see more clearly
Now, how he amazed those doctors
Profoundly taught in worldly lore.
His understanding answers astonished all his elders:
If he had gone as other lads had done,
With thoughts all matter filled, to do his
Daily round, they would have understood him.
But no, his mother e'en must wait, and find him
In the temple glorifying God. Her gentle voice,
Reproaching, brought only what we know today
And strive to follow: "Wist ye not that I
Must be about my Father's business?"
Intent was he upon that needful
Love for God. His human duties
Quickly came and went when that was done.

I see, in all he did he put God first;
This was his way of life—the heavenly Father
First, and he to follow after.
A righteous rule: If followed day by day
Our tasks will quickly fall in line,
And all our daily life will shadow forth
His will. How clearly shines the light,
So we may follow! As Mind and understanding
Lead the way, the path illumined is,
And all the rugged places smoothed, as
Willingness unfolds, and like a little child
We follow after. I'm glad I asked the question;
The way is clearer now, and I have ceased to wonder.

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April 16, 1938
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