My opportunity! Dear Lord, I do not ask
That Thou shouldst give me some high work of Thine,
Some noble calling, or some wondrous task,—
Give me a little hand to hold in mine.
I do not ask that I should ever stand
Among the wise, the worthy, or the great;
I only ask that, softly, hand in hand,
A child and I may enter at Thy gate.
Give me a little child to point the way
Over the strange, sweet path that leads to Thee;
Give me a little voice to teach to pray;
Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see.
The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wear,
Is this — that I may teach a little child
How beautiful, oh, how divinely fair
Is Thy dear face, so loving, sweet and mild!
I do not need to ask for more than this.
My opportunity! 'Tis standing at my door;
What sorrow if this blessing I should miss!
A little child! Why should I ask for more?
Who knows what future stretches out along
Those strange, far years? Dear Father, if I knew!
Who knows what sorrow, or who knows what song,
Who knows what work those little hands may do?
Who knows what word of mine may shape a thought
To turn his heart to that far heaven above?
Who knows what lesson that I may have taught,
Will turn his heart to the dear God of love?
Thou knowest, oh, Thou knowest! Unto Thee
All things are plain. Help me, Lord Christ I pray,
That I may ever helpful be,
To lead a little child along the way.
My opportunity? I need not seek it far,
It standeth at the door, and waiteth me;
Dear Lord, two trusting hands uplifted are —
A little child, my opportunity!
—Marian B. Craig
