Aunt Janet -- Janet Chen

Aunt Janet has chosen four poems that speak particularly strongly to her. The first is "The Teacher" by Leslie Pinckney Hill.

The Teacher
by Leslie Pinckney Hill 

LORD, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray? 

I teach them KNOWLEDGE, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow. 

I teach them POWER to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through. 

I teach them LOVE for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind. 

Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee. 

Leslie Pinckney Hill was born in 1880, the son of a former slave. He excelled in school and went on to earn a Master's degree in education from Harvard University. He went on to teach at multiple universities, and fought racism using education throughout his career. He died of a heart attack in 1960.

Aunt Janet's next selections are from Martha Snell Nicholson. The first is "The Thorn".

The Thorn
by Martha Snell Nicholson 

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart
I cried, "But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me."
He said, "My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee."
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face. 

A mendicant is a beggar. The speaker in this poem was begging at God's feet for something of worth when she received the thorn. Here are two more poems by the same author: "On Prayer" and "Treasures".

On Prayer
by Martha Snell Nicholson 

Sometimes I do not pray in words,
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord,
I'm so glad He understands. 

Sometimes I do not pray in words,
My spirit bows before His feet,
And with His hand upon my head
We just hold communion, silent, sweet. 

Sometimes I do not pray in words,
For I am tired and long for rest,
And my heart finds all it needs
Just resting on the Savior's gentle breast.

Treasures
by Martha Snell Nicholson 

One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost. 

And I walked Earth's highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to Me!" 

So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of his own transcendent riches,
Till they could contain no more. 

And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour riches
Into hands already full!

Martha Snell Nicholson was born and raised in a Christian household and from an early age had a desire to make words into "something lovely and good" to serve God. Nicholson fell victim to no fewer than four incurable diseases, and was bedridden and in pain for thirty-five years. Despite all of this, she wrote poetry to glorify her Savior and encourage all those who would read it for years and years to come.

Aunt Janet also selected some favorite Bible verses. The first passage, from Isaiah 41, is as follows:

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 41:25-31

Aunt Janet takes comfort in that passage, knowing that God's perfect love casts out all fear. He will strengthen her and guide her through hardships according to His perfect plan for her life.

Additionally, the following verses attest to the power and justice of God:

So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears in not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6