Catching up with George MacDonald

My soul must unawares have sunk awry.
Some care, poor eagerness, ambition of work,
Some old offence that unforgiving did lurk,
Or some self-gratulation, soft and sly--
Something not Thy sweet will, not the good part,
While the home-guard looked out, stirred up the old murk,
And so I gloomed away from thee, my Heart.

Therefore I make provision, ere I begin
To do the thing thou givest me to do,
Praying: Lord, wake me oftener, lest I sin.
Amidst my work, open thine eyes on me,
That I may wake and laugh, and know and see
Then with healed heart afresh catch up the clue,
And singing drop into my work anew.



"Love is Strength"

Love alone is great in might,
Makes the heavy burden light,
Smooths rough ways to weary feet,
Makes the bitter morsel sweet:
Love alone is strength!

Might that is not born of Love
Is not Might born from above.
Has its birthplace down below
Where they neither reap not sow:
Love alone is strength!

Love is stronger than all force,
Is its own eternal source;
Might is always on decay,
Love grows fresher every day:
Love alone is strength!

Little ones, no ill can chance;
Fear ye not, but sing and dance;
Though the high-heaved heaven should fall
God is plenty for us all:
God is Love and Strength!



' ... The true child, the righteous man, will trust absolutely, against all appearances, the God who has created in him the love of righteousness. ... '