| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 23 |
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It is the law of grace that it is given according to the hour’s need. It is not always the same, not the same to all persons, not the same to any two, not the same to any one person two days in succession. It is given always according to the need of the moment. Grace is given to each person with wise discrimination, what is best for each at the time.
Life has hard points for every one. There are struggles which must be made. Not all battle fields are marked on the world’s maps; there are sore battles in human hearts. There are sorrows too; no life escapes them. There are sicknesses which call us aside from active duty, and bid us rest awhile. For each of these changing experiences there is grace ready. The same grace in every instance would not do. The grace that will help you when you are strong and busy in life’s active duties would not meet your need when you are shut up in a sick room. Then it is the grace of patience you require instead of the grace of energy; and this God will give you.
This also must be noted – that grace need not be expected out of season. One cause of much anxiety in good persons is the fear that they will not be able to meet certain experiences which they foresee, or imagine they foresee. You, in the enjoyment of health, see a friend in sickness, who is wondrously patient, suffering quietly, even joyfully, with a heart full of song. You say, “I could not meet sickness as my friend does. I could not bear pain so patiently and sweetly. I could not sing if I were suffering so.”
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