My Times Are in Thy Hand

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that will surely 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 the 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;
And careful, less to serve thee much
Than to please thee perfectly.

There are briers besetting every path,
Which 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 love appoints,
There are no bonds for me;
For my secret heart is taught "the truth"
That makes thy children "free";
And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.