| The Building of Character |
Chapter 14 |
Page 6 |
But, whether for our friends or for ourselves, we dare not in prayers press our own wishes against God’s. “Even though it be a cross that raiseth” must be our cry for our dearest as well as for ourselves. The standard of pleading must be the same. And some day we shall see and know that our love was truest when it asked even pain and loss for one who was dear, because it was God’s will.
“I sometimes think God’s heart must ache,
Listening to all the sad, complaining cries,
That from our weak, impatient souls arise,
Because we do not see that for our sake
He answers not, or answers otherwise
Than seems the best to our tear-blinded eyes.
This is love’s hardest task, to do hard things
For love’s own sake, then bear the murmurings
Of ignorance, too dull to judge aright
The love that rises to this wond’rous height
He knows we have not yet attained; and so
He wearies not, but bears complaint and moan,
And shields each willing heart against his own,
Knowing that some glad day we too shall know.”
Page 6