Father, I Know That All My Life

Father, I know that all my life

Is portioned out for me,

And the changes that are sure to come

I do not fear to see;

But 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 I go.

Wherever in the world I am,

In whatsoe'er estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts

To keep and cultivate;

And a work of lowly love to do

For the Lord on Whom I wait.

So I ask Thee for daily strength,

To none that ask denied,

And a mind to blend with outward life

While keeping at Thy side;

Content to fill a little space,

If Thou be glorified.

And if some things I do not ask

In my cup of blessing be,

I would have my spirit filled the more

With grateful love to Thee,

More careful, not to serve Thee much,

But to please Thee perfectly.

There are briers besetting every path

That call for patient care;

There is a cross in every lot,

And an earnest need for prayer;

But a lowly heart that leans on Thee

Is happy anywhere.

In a service which Thy will appoints

There are no bonds for me;

For my inmost heart is taught "the truth"

That makes Thy children "free."

And a life of self renouncing love

Is a life of liberty.