Thursday, May 1, 2008
Ascension
Feast of Philip & James, Apostles

I come in the little things,

Saith the Lord:

Not borne on morning wings

Of majesty, but I have set My Feet

Amidst the delicate and bladed wheat

That springs triumphant in the furrowed sod.

There do I dwell, in weakness and in power;

Not broken or divided, saith our God!

In your strait garden plot I come to flower:

About your porch My Vine

Meek, fruitful, doth entwine;

Waits, at the threshold, Love’s appointed hour.

 

I come in the little things,

Saith the Lord:

Yea! on the glancing wings

Of eager birds, the softly pattering feet

Of furred and gentle beasts, I come to meet

Your hard and wayward heart. In brown bright eyes

That peep from out the brake, I stand confest.

On every nest

Where feathery patience is content to brood

And leaves her pleasure for the high emprise

Of motherhood—

There doth My Godhead rest.

 

I come in the little things,

Saith the Lord:

My starry wings

I do forsake,

Love’s highway of humility to take:

Meekly I fit My Stature to your need.

In beggar’s part

About your gates I shall not cease to plead—

As man, to speak with man—

Till by such art

I shall achieve My Immemorial Plan,

Pass the low lintel of the human heart.

... Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941), included in The Questing Spirit, Halford E. Luccock & Frances Brentano, New York: Coward-McCann, 1947, p. 294 (see the book; see also Matt. 10:29-31; 1 Kings 19:11-12; Ezek. 36:26; John 15:5; 2 Cor. 12:9; more at Attitudes, Gentleness, God, Heart, Humility, Love, Meekness, Morning, Power, Weakness)

 
Compilation Copyright, 1996-2024, by Robert McAnally Adams,
        Curator, Christian Quotation of the Day,
        with Robert Douglas, principal contributor
Logo image Copyright 1996 by Shay Barsabe, of “Simple GIFs”, by kind permission.
Send comments to curator@cqod.com.

Last updated: 12/06/18

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