Do not fear the cutting knife,
Do not shrink in pain,
Let the red drops of thy life
Fall like bleeding rain.
That which thou to death dost give
Is the seed which yet shall live.Do not fear the winter’s breath,
Let the seed drop to the earth,
Everything laid down to death
Waits a resurreection birth.
Let the flower drop; on the thorn
Fairer glories shall be born.Do not try to hold life’s joys,
Or the past’s years’ golden store,
Love it is Who thus destroys,
To make room for so much more.
Love it is, with radiant face,
Leading to a wealthier place.Do not let self-pity bleed
Bitterness, nor fierce regret.
These are sad worms which kill the seed,
And sad misery beget.
With a willing heart let go,
God will richer gifts bestow.Learn the lesson fast or slow,
This is heaven’s law,
We must let the old things go,
To make room for more.
We shall reap in some glad way,
Fairer joys than lost today.– Hannah Hurnard, Mountains of Spices