Dusty my soul tonight.

Earth has been dear.

Bewildered, I come to You,

Father God, hear.

Idols that charm me,

dreams that allure,

pains that alarm me,

suspense to endure,

memories that linger,

thoughts that ensnare,

a heart that is aching,

all crumpled by care,

unsatisfied, restless,

scarce able to pray—

everything, everything

take it away.

Only You,

none but You,

Jesus alone:

ashes the rest to me,

songs with a groan,

take them each one away—

mind not the tears—

lift me above this earth’s

joys and its fears,

give me Yourself alone—

nothing beside—

so I will be with You,

content,

satisfied!

 

Taken by permission and adapted from Ruth Bell Graham’s Collected Poems, by Ruth Bell Graham. ©1977, 1992, 1997. The Ruth Bell Graham Literary Trust.