p. 12 | God’s Way and Mine by F. Watson Hannan

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 14, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 15.

God’s Way and Mine

By F. Watson Hannan

I asked my Lord to lead me for a day, I did not know or care what He might say; So long as He would lead me, I’d agree To follow paths I could or could not see, Or try to carry loads I scarce could lift, And move as He directed, slow or swift. I would not murmur if the road was rough, Nor ask for more when He had giv’n enough To meet my simple needs, both few and small— I’d be content and thankful in it all. But when He bade me suffer and be still I then rebelled against my Master’s will, And said I would not have Him for my guide, Because His will ran counter to my pride. And yet I suffered, suffered once again; I asked for joy, He gave me only pain. I asked for rose-strewn pathways, sunny morns, I chose to tread on petals, not on thorns; But through the thorns He led me up the hill. I murmured at His “suffer and be still”— I could not grasp His meaning; I was prone To ask Him for His way but keep my own. But one day, when my struggles had been sore, I asked my Lord to lead me just once more. This time I would not murmur ’gainst His will; I’d go or stay, or “suffer and be still.” I would not have my own way—His was best; I’d gladly do, endure His wise behest. And then I understood why all my pain And thorns came to me once again. It was withdrawing, by His gentle art, The thorns which pride had thrust into my heart, His oil and wine, poured on sin’s open sore, The pain was just to heal, and nothing more. His thorns were lances to relieve disease. His hilly pathway led to plains of peace. He meant my life for joy, for power and bliss— Pain was remedial, work was happiness. And so my Lord has led me all these years, Sometimes He leads through smiles, sometimes through tears; But each day shows me that His way is best, For through its cloud or sunshine I am blest. — F. Watson Hannan, D.D.