A LITTLE WHILE

A little while to sow in tears and weakness
The precious seed along the vernal plain,
’Til into life the tender blade expanding
Fresh promise gives of summer’s ripening grain.
A little while of patient, earnest labour,
For His dear sake, our best and truest Friend;
A little while to wait for His appearing,
And then the joy that nevermore shall end.

A little while to bear the cross of Jesus
And meet the foes that once He overcame;
To stand unmoved, the Sword of Truth uplifting,
And through its power to conquer in His Name.
A little while around His throne to gather
For one sweet hour within the house of prayer;
A little while when, heart with heart communing,
We know by faith that He Himself is there.

A little while to weep for those we cherish
As one by one they near the river’s brink,
A little while to catch their sweet assurance
That we in heaven shall find each broken link.
A little while! And then the glorious dawning
Of that fair morn beyond the swelling tide,
When we shall wake, and in our Saviour’s likeness,
Perfect and pure, we shall be satisfied.

- Fanny J. Crosby -