A Strange Gift

Strange gift indeed! - a thorn to prick,

To pierce into the quick;

To cause perpetual sense of pain;

Strange gift! - and yet, 'twas given for gain

Unwelcome, yet it came to stay;

Nor could it e'en be prayed away.

It came to fill it's God-planned place,

A life-enriching means of grace.

God' grace-thorns - ah, what forms they take;

What piercing, smarting pain they make!

And yet, each one in love is sent,

And always just for blessing meant.

And so, whate'er thy thorn may be,

From God accept it willingly;

But reckon Christ - His life - the power

To keep, in thy most trying hour.

And sure - thy life will richer grow;

He grace sufficient will bestow;

And in Heav'ns morn thy joy 'twill be

That, by His thorn, He strengthened thee.

- J. Danson Smith