And then with lightened eyes and willing feet,
Again I turned my earthly cross to meet;
With forward footsteps, turning not aside
For fear some hidden evil might betide.
And there, in the prepared, appointed way,
Listening to hear, and ready to obey,
A cross I quickly found of plainest form,
With only words of love inscribed thereon.
With thankfulness, I raised it from the rest,
And joyfully acknowledged it the best;
The only one of all the many there
That I could feel was good for me to bear.
And while I thus my chosen one confessed,
I saw a heavenly brightness on it rest;
And as I bent my burden to sustain,
I recognized my own old cross again.
But, oh! how different did it seem to be!
Now I had learned its preciousness to see;
No longer could I unbelievingly say:
"Perhaps another is a better way."
Oh, no! henceforth my own desire shall be
That He who knows me best should choose for me,
And so whate'er His love sees good to send,
I'll trust its best, because He knows the end.
And when that happy time shall come
Of endless peace and rest,
We shall look back upon our path
And say: "It was the best."