| Things to Live For |
Chapter 20 |
Page 5 |
With like affection should we regard the gifts of God to us. This is easy for us so long as these fits come to us in pleasant form – things that give joy to us. But with no less love and gratitude should we receive and cherish God’s gifts which come in forbidding form. It is the same love that sends the one and also the other. The one is no less good than the other. There is blessing as truly in gift of pain or loss or trial as in the gift of song and gain and gladness. Whatever God sends we should receive therefore, in confidence, as a gift of his love.
Thus it is that our burden, whatever it may be is hallowed. It may not always be easy to carry it, for even love sometimes lays heavy burdens on the shoulders of its beloved. A wise father does not seek always to make life easy for his child. Nothing could be unkind. He would have his child grow strong, and, therefore, he refuses to take away the hard task. God is too loving and kind; too true a father, to give us only easy things. He makes the burden heavy that we may become strong in bearing it. But he is always near; and he gives us the help we need, that we may never faint beneath it. Then we may always know that our burden is our Father’s gift to us.
“To every one on earth
God gives a burden to be carried down
The road that lies between the cross and crown:
No lot is wholly free,
He giveth one to thee.
“Thy burden is God’s gift,
And it will make the bearer calm and strong;
Yet, lest it press too heavily and long,
He says, “Cast it on me, And it shall easy be.’”
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