Poems (Shipton)/Shrouded Blessings
SHROUDED BLESSINGS.
"I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight: these things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."—Isaiah xlii. 10.
Not only for the light of loving hearts
That cheered my lonely life, I thank Thee, God;
Not for my childhood's home, nor tearless eyes,
Nor pleasant paths of peace my feet have trod;
But that the idols, tenderly embraced
By this weak heart, and falsely called mine own,
Thou didst withdraw, that I in time might learn
To lean upon Thy holy arm alone.
For the sharp reed that pierced this feeble hand,
For thorn-torn feet that Thou alone couldst see,
For the deep fount of tears by Thee told o'er,
I thank Thee, Lord. They brought me nearer Thee.
That cheered my lonely life, I thank Thee, God;
Not for my childhood's home, nor tearless eyes,
Nor pleasant paths of peace my feet have trod;
But that the idols, tenderly embraced
By this weak heart, and falsely called mine own,
Thou didst withdraw, that I in time might learn
To lean upon Thy holy arm alone.
For the sharp reed that pierced this feeble hand,
For thorn-torn feet that Thou alone couldst see,
For the deep fount of tears by Thee told o'er,
I thank Thee, Lord. They brought me nearer Thee.