He Is With You — Dave Smith

This day we end our service with farewell.  Pastor Molly leaves to begin a new journey, a path she follows after reluctant thought, careful consideration, and finally acceptance of His wish for her to shepherd in a new field.  No parting comes with ease, no goodbye to a long connection occurs without tears.  In different ways, she has touched all our lives, many of our thoughts – and been with us in prayer.  To dodge the maudlin, I searched for another’s words to help me say my think this Sunday morning.  In a book entitled Poems That Will Change Your Life, published by Fall River Press in New York, I came across “What Christ Said” by George MacDonald:

I said, “Let me walk in the fields.”

He said, “No, walk in the town.”

I said, “There are no flowers there.”

He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said, “But the sky is black;

There is nothing but noise and din.”

But He wept as He sent me back:

“There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”

I said, “But the air is thick,

And fogs are veiling the sun.”

He answered, “Yet hearts are sick,

And souls in the dark undone.”

I said, “I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say.”

He answered me, “Choose tonight,

If I am to miss you or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given.

He said, “Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in heaven

To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the fields,

Then set my face to the town;

He said, “My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

Then into His hand went mine,

And into my heart came He;

And I walk in a light divine

The path I had feared to see.