Suffering

"It would be a very sharp and trying experience to me
to think that I have an affliction which God never sent me,
that the bitter cup was never filled by his hand,
that my trials were never measured out by him,
nor sent to me by his arrangement of their weight and quantity"

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Charles Spurgeon

The Mendicant

I stood, a mendicant of God, before His royal throne
and begged Him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart I cried,
'But Lord, this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange and hurtful gift which Thou hast given me.'
He said, 'My child, I give good gifts. I gave My best to thee.'
I took it home. And though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
as long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace:
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.
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Anonymous

http://sufferinggift.blogspot.com