Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness.

What good are Greek, commentaries, insight, gift, and all the rest, if there is no heart for Christ?

Grieve not, then, if your sons seem to desert you, but rejoice, rather, seeing the will of God done gladly.

Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness.

The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, but we must believe that whatever it involves, it is good, acceptable and perfect.

Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on Earth! I care not if I never raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him. Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore His delicacies whose finger ends set them to burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, touch His garments, smile into His eyes - ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only Himself.

Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living.