The Lord steps in, sets you aside by some unseen event And suddenly it seems to you your usefulness is spent. It may be sickness, depressed mind, or in a jail cast down Beloved brother, sister dear, cheer up, don’t wear a frown. While travelling down the road one day, there came a real sharp curve To tell the truth and to my mind, no purpose did it serve. It meant my slowing down a bit, the brakes were hit with force It blocked my onward path to view, it made me change my course. And then I thought how much like life, when things are going fine I’m serving God and helping saints, how very straight my line. And all at once God stepped right in, my plans went all awry The sailing smooth, the easy road was over for the day. My life, it changed directions, why did this happen me Was I not serving God so hard, why ever should this be? And in the darkness of the hour, the Lord spoke to my heart My child your thoughts of serving me, was not the better part. You see my child, it’s you I want, to love me more and more And not to see what service waits for you around each door. To get to know me saith the Lord, now that eternal life Not serving me, but knowing me, as a husband by his wife. The curve, it was a gift from God, I take it from His hand I bless the blessed God above, for excellency of plan. Instead of my life’s work being o’er, indeed it did expand And will to endless glory be, in God’s eternal land. © Rowan Jennings 30th Oct. 2001 Written in the midst of the second heart attack in eleven days.