A Mother's Life-Work

A Mother's Life-Work.

My work at home lies with the olive branches
Thou'st planted there,
To train them meekly for the heavenly garden
Needs all my care.

I may not in the woods and on the mountains
Seek Thy lost sheep;
At home a little flock of tender lambkins
'Tis mine to keep.

Thou givest to Thy servants each his life-work;
No trumpet tone
Will tell the nations in triumphant pealing
How mine was done-

But 'twill be much, if, when the task is ended,
Through grace from Thee,
I give Thee back, undimmed, the radiant jewels
Thou gavest me.