Let Me Love and Not be Respected
Let me love and not be respected;
Let me serve and not be rewarded;
Let me labor and not be remembered;
Let me suffer and not be regarded.
`Tis the pouring, not the drinking;
`Tis the breaking, not the keeping --
A life suffering to seek others' blessing.
A life loving and true comfort giving.
Not expecting, pity and concern,
Not accepting, solace and applause;
Even lonely, even forgotten.
Even wordless, even forsaken.
Tears and blood my price
For the righteous crown shall be;
Losing all, my cost for a faithful pilgrim's life.
'Twas the life, O Lord, that You chose to live
In those days when on earth You walked.
Gladly suffering all injuries and loss
So that all might draw near and repose.
I cannot see how much farther I shall go;
Still I press on, knowing there is no return.
Let me follow Your pattern, so perfect and true,
Bearing ingratitudes without complaint.
In this time of trial, oh my Lord, I pray
That You'd wipe all my hidden tears away;
Let me learn, O Lord, You are my reward,
Let me be others' blessing all my days.
