Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;
The changes that will surely come,
I do not fear to see;
I ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles
And to wipe the weeping eyes,
And a heart at leisure from itself
To soothe and sympathize.
I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child
And guided where to go.
And if some things I do not ask,
Thy will allots to me,
Still be my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to Thee,
More careful — less to serve Thee much
Than please Thee perfectly.
In service which Thy love appoints
There are no bonds for me;
My secret heart is taught “the truth”
That makes Thy children “free”;
A life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.
Author unknown