If Thou canst make so wonderful
This thrilling thing—a tree,
I wonder, Lord, what Thou couldst make
If man should yield to Thee;

If every time earth-born root
Drank from the wells of God,
If all day long his every breath
Answered Thy slighted not'

Bent, twisted, gnarled, time-eaten,
But a glorious thing this tree,
With hands and heart uplifted
Seeking the face of Thee!

O Thou who made s wondrous fair
This trilling thing, my tree,
Because its every hour is lived
an offering unto Thee,

Oh, take me, root and branch and all
(The years go on apace!)
Grow up in me that radiant life
That shines, Lord, from Thy face!

Resource, Sept./Oct., 1992, p. 9