Strange Gift Indeed!

Here is an old, untitled poem, written by J. Danson Smith

Strange gift indeed! -- a thorn to prick --
To pierce into the very quick;
To cause perpetual sesnse of pain,
Strange gift! And yet, 'twas given for gain.

Unwelcome -- yet it came to stay,
Nor could it e'en be prayed away.
It came to fill its God-planned place --
A life-enriching means of grace.

And he who bore it, day by day,
Found Christ his power, his strength, his stay;
In weakness gloried, since thereby
The power of Christ might on him lie.

Oh much tired saint, with fainting heart,
The thorn with its perpetual smart,
With all its wearing, ceaseless pain
Can be they means of priceless gain.

God's grace-thorns -- ah, what forms they take!
What piercing, smarting pain they make!
ANd yet, each one in love is sent,
And always just for blessing meant.

And so, whate'er they thorn may be,
From God accept it willingly;
But reckon Christ -- His life -- the power
To keep, in thy most trying hour.

And sure -- thy life will richer grow;
He grace sufficient will bestow;
And in Heav'n's thorn thy joy 'twill be
That, by His thorn, He strengthened thee.