The Best Gift - Yourself

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;
       it is not for man to direct his steps.  Jer. 10:23 

I said: Let me walk in the field

God said: No, walk in the town,

I said: There are no flowers there

He said: No flowers, but a crown.

I said: But the sky is black,

There is nothing but noise and din.

But He wept as He sent me back,

“There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”

I said:  But the air is thick.

And fogs are veiling the sun.

He answered:  Yet souls are sick,

And souls in the dark undone.

I said:  I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say;

He answered me, “Choose tonight,

If I am to miss you or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given;

He said: Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in Heaven

To have followed the steps of your Guide.

I cast one look at the fields,

Then set my face to the town;

He said: My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?

Then into His hand went mine,

And into my heart came He;

And I walk in a light Divine,

The path I had feared to see.

-George MacDonald

It’s a choice.

Robin