Waiting for the Adoption

Waiting amid the shadows

For the blushing of the dawn,

Waiting amid the darkness

For the sunlight of the morn:

Waiting, because the appointed age

Has not told out its years—

Waiting, because a groaning earth

Has not wept all its tears.

Toil-worn and very weary—

For the waiting time is long;

Leaning upon the promise—

For the Promiser is strong;

Waiting, because some straying sheep

Are on the mountains still,

They must be sought, and found, and saved;

It is the Father’s will.

Waiting, ’mid cruel taunting

From many a scorning foe—

Chilled by the bitter night winds,

The lamp of faith burns low;

Waiting, because a patient God

Is pitiful and kind—

The seeking Shepherd may not leave

One halting lamb behind.

Waiting, ’mid angry billows,

For the breaking of the light—

Heart-sick, and sad, and fretful,

With toiling all the night!

Waiting, because the Master stands

To watch the rising tide,

And He would have us cast the net

Upon the other side.

Waiting, while skies still blacken

With storm-clouds hanging low,

Eyes fail with looking upward

To find the emerald bow.

Waiting, because the Master’s eye

Is on the ripening grain,

Th’impatient sickle must be stayed,

Waiting the “latter rain.”

Waiting with hands still busy,

Chiding the tears that fall,

Stopping sometimes to listen,

If haply He should call.

Waiting because the mighty stream

Flows on with ceaselss tide;

There’s room within the palace halls—

The open door stands wide.

Beguiling waiting hours,

With rapturous thoughts of home.

Breathing a yearning whisper,

“When will the Master come?”

Hark! Get thee to the mountains,

There is sound of distant song,

The Bridegroom King is coming,

For His bride has waited long!