Cheer Instead

Empathy

Both friend and foe

Oh how I grieve this ache you sow

Yet they who faithful sow in tears

Shall reap with songs of joy—so cheer!

 

Cheer instead, my heart that beats!

A heart that bleeds

Attendeth Thee

Though doleful grief looks quite the crook

Better the prize

Wins the soul thus shook

 

So spare me no sorrow

Tough as flint these words to say

Lo! I covet nothing more!

Than to walk in Your sure way

Holding hands out to the needy

Lifting prayers for those who break

For the love of all that’s winsome

For their hearts to find Your face.

 

Tina

September 15, 2018

 

***

“Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” –Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

“Those who sow with tears
   will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
   carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
   carrying sheaves with them.”

–Psalm 126:5-6–

***

“Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”

–Bringing in the Sheaves – Knowles Shaw 1874–