Long and Long Ago (a poem by Martha Snell Nicholson)
This is one of my favorite poems. I had a heck of a time finding it online, but here it is! Joy! This is such a beautiful little poem, and it really gives one an interesting perspective on God’s plans for our lives.
Long ago the Lord looked down
Through the years to this small town,
The street, this house, and planned that I,
While I was living here, should try
To do His work and will, and so
He started, long and long ago,
To make this person which is I,
He watched and guided from the sky,
Had this one marry that, and He
Sometimes would make one cross the sea
To meet the one he was to wed.
Strangely, strangely they were led,
And strangely mixed, some Irish, Dutch,
Some Scotch, a little French, not much,
and English blood to some degree,
Till many races met in me
To give me just this mind and face.
And then He saved me, by His grace!
But then while He was making me
He had to make another. He
Knew that my weakness would need strength
And understanding through the length
Of pain-filled days and years. He knew
My coming helplessness. And too,
He knew that other would need me,
Through the magic of love’s alchemy.
(For this, dear Lord, I give Thee praise.)
And so He worked His wondrous ways
Just as with me, to make this man,
And finish that which He began,
Until at last we two should stand,
The workmanship of His great hand.
And then in God’s good time we met,
My love and I! We thank Him yet,
With grateful hearts, and love Him so
Because He worked thus, long ago!
