Happy 2010!

I was searching Google looking for a Christian New Years poem - I like to read poems that make me feel good inside and are encouraging and uplifting. After reading Ian's blog post from today I decided I would follow suit and find a nice New Years poem to post. Well what I came across was the following - it isn't exactly what I had in mind! Upon first read it doesn't seem to particularly fit into the encouraging category. I mean really, who in their right mind would ask God for trials and tears and crosses and sorrows? But just like someone mentioned last night, it's those trials and hard times that we go through that keep us from being dull and content with our life and that drive us to Christ. And I myself have been learning this personally in the past months - though the process might be extremely painful at the time, if it brings us closer to Christ it's totally worth it in the end!!

The Christian's New Year Prayer

Thou Christ of mine, Thy gracious ear low bending
Through these glad New Year days,
To catch the countless prayers to heaven ascending –
For e’en hard hearts do raise
Some secret wish for fame, or gold, or power,
Or freedom from all care –
Dear, patient Christ, who listeneth hour on hour,
Hear now a Christian’s prayer.

Let this young year, silent, walking beside me,
Be as a means of grace
To lead me up, no matter what betide me,
Nearer the Master’s face.
If it need be ere I reach the Fountain
Where living waters play,
My feet should bleed from sharp stones on the mountain,
Then cast them in my way.

If my vain soul needs blows and bitter losses
To shape it for Thy crown,
Then bruise it, burn it, burden it with crosses,
With sorrows bear it down.
Do what Thou wilt to mould me to Thy pleasure,
And if I should complain,
Heap full of anguish yet another measure
Until I smile at pain.
Send dangers – deaths! but tell me how to dare them;
Enfold me in Thy care.
Send trials, tears! but give me strength to bear them –
This is a Christian’s prayer.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

So, what are your thoughts?