One By One

One by one the sands are flowing,
One by one the moments fall;
Some are coming, some are going —
Do not strive to grasp them all.

One by one thy duties wait thee,
Let thy whole strength go to each;
Let no future dreams elate thee —
Learn thou first what those can teach.

One by one (bright gifts from heaven),
Joys are sent thee here below;
Take them readily, when given —
Ready, too, to let them go.

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee.
Do not fear an arm’d band;
One will fade while others greet thee —
Shadows passing through the land.

Do not look at life’s long sorrow.
See how small each moment’s pain;
God will help thee for to-morrow —
Every day begin again.

Every hour that fleets so slowly,
Has its task to do or bear;
Luminous the crown, and holy,
If thou set each gem with care.

Do not linger with regretting,
Or for passion’s hour despond ;
Nor, the daily toil forgetting,
Look too eagerly beyond.

Hours are golden links, God’s token,
Reaching heaven; but one by one
Take them, lest the chain be broken
Ere the pilgrimage be done.

Unknown. Taken from The Changed Cross