BEARING GOD’S BURDENS

I LONG had borne a weary load

Along life’s rough and thorny road,

And oftentimes had wondered why

My friend walked burdenless, while I

Was forced to carry day by day

The cross which on my shoulders lay.

When. Io, one day the Master laid

Another cross on me! Dismayed

And faint, and trembling and distressed,

I cried, “Oh, I have longed for rest

These many days. I cannot bear

This other heavy load of care.

I pray Thee. Lord, behold this one—

Shall I bear both while he hath none?”

No answer came.

The cross was laid

On my poor back, and I was weighed

Down to the earth.

And as I went

Toiling along and almost spent,

Again I cried, “Lord, have I been

Untrue to Thee? Is it for sin

That I have done, that I must still

Carry this cross against my will ?"

“My child,” the Master’s voice returned,

“Hast thou not yet the lesson learned?

The burden thou hast borne so long

Hath only made thee grow more strong.

And fitted thee to bear for Me

This other load I lay on thee.               

 Thy brother is too weak as yet

To have a cross upon him set.

God’s burdens rest upon the strong—

They stronger grow who bear them long,

And each new burden is a sign

That greater power to bear is thine.”

So now no longer I repine,

Because a heavy cross is mine,

But struggle onward with the prayer,

Make me more worthy, Lord, to bear!

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