I Do Not Ask, O Lord

I do not ask

O Lord

that life may be

A plea­sant road;

I do not ask that Thou

Wouldst take from me

Aught of its load.

I do not ask that flow­ers should al­ways spring

Beneath my feet;

I know too well the poi­son and the sting

Of things too sweet.

For one thing

on­ly Lord

dear Lord

I plead:

Lead me aright

Though strength should fal­ter

And though heart should bleed

Through peace to light.

I do not ask

O Lord

that Thou shouldst shed

Full ra­di­ance here

Give but a ray of peace

That I may tread

Without a fear.

I do not ask my cross to un­der­stand

My way to see;

Better in dark­ness just to feel Thy hand

And fol­low Thee.

Joy is like rest­less day; but peace di­vine

Like quiet night:

Lead me

O Lord

till per­fect day shall shine

Through peace to light.