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The Greatest Test

The Greatest Test

This convicting poem by Barbara Ryberg is done in the Chancery Cursive style with the title and the first letter of each stanza done in Fraktur. The highlight color is green.

  • Story Behind the Art

    This poem was commissioned by a man from our church in Ohio when his Godly mother-in-law died. This poem was found in her Bible. This man had multiple copies made and gave them to all the family members.

  • Translation

    n/a

  • Text

    The Greatest Test

     

    Help me to walk so close to thee 
    That those who know me best can see 
    I live as godly as I pray 
    And Christ is real from day to day.

     

    I see some once a day, or year, 
    To them I blameless might appear; 
    'Tis easy to be kind and sweet 
    To people whom we seldom meet;

     

    But in my home are those who see 
    Too many times the worst of me. 
    My hymns of praise were best unsung 
    If He does not control my tongue

     

    When I am vexed and sorely tried 
    And my impatience cannot hide. 
    May no one stumble over me 
    Because Thy love they failed to see;

     

    But give me, Lord, a life that sings 
    And victory over little things. 
    Give me Thy calm for every fear, 
    Thy peace for every falling tear;

     

    Make mine, O Lord, through calm and strife 
    A gracious and unselfish life: 
    Help me with those who know me best 
    For the Lord's sake, to stand the test. 
     

              ~ Barbara C. Ryberg ~ 

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