A Word

"Before Action"

By all the glories of the day

And the cool evening's benison,

By that last sunset touch that lay

Upon the hills where day was done,

By beauty lavishly outpoured

And blessings carelessly received,

By all the days that I have lived

Make me a solider, Lord.

By all of man's hopes and fears,

And all the wonders poets sing,

The laughter of unclouded years,

And every sad and lovely thing;

By the romantic ages stored

With high endeavor that was his,

By all his mad catastrophes

Make me a man, O Lord.

I, that on my familiar hill

Saw with uncomprehending eyes

A hundred of Thy sunsets spill

Their fresh and sanguine sacrifice,

Ere the sun swings his noonday sword

Must say goodbye to all of this;

--By all delights that I shall miss,

Help me to die, O Lord.

~W. N. Hodgson~

This poem was written by a soldier in World War 1. As Christians who daily are in a spiritual battle it is a faithful saying and encouraging reminder not to shrink from the tasks which we know are ahead. God will give us the strength for the battle.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might...Stand firm."

Ephesians 6

Caitlin