God's Answer

Did you ask the Lord for patience?
Did you plead for it in prayer,
Then tribulations great befell you,
And you thought He didn't care?
Oh, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered full your prayer;
"Tribulation worketh patience,"
That's the gem you longed to wear.

Did you ask Him for submission?
Did you plead for it in prayer,
And such suffering great o'ertook you
That you thought He didn't care?
Ah, my dear, He heard and answered
That true prayer with bitter tear;
For we only learn obedience
By things we suffer here.

'Twas unselfishness you wanted,
Asked for it in prayer,
And the sacrifice He asked for
Seemed too great for you to bear?
Ah, He cared, He heard and answered,
Answered full your prayer;
For we learn to be unselfish
By the sacrifice we bear.

Did you ask the Lord for victory,
Plead for it in prayer,
And life's battle surged around you,
Hid His face so fair?
Ah, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered your own prayer;
For we learn to be victorious
By the daily cross we bear.

Did you ask to be made humble,
And for strength its fruit to bear;
Then the way you were tormented
Made you feel He didn't care?
Well, my child, He heard and answered,
Answered deepest prayer;
Humility and strength to bear it
Come to those who know life's care.

We count not things we're seeing,
But the things which are above,
For things we see are fleeting,
But above is God and love.
The big things beyond this earth life
Are unseen by us today;
But their everlasting beauty
Will be our's to keep for aye.
        -Josephine Hope Westervelt