THE CONVERSATION

One night alone in misery
I sat and wondered why
"Oh, God, why must I suffer here
In this cold and bitter life?

"Why must I struggle on alone
In this world of hate and lies
And after all the hurt is done
I fade away and die?"

I sat long in brooding silence
My heart so strained and weak
That's when I felt a touch inside
And I heard Lord Jesus speak

"Son, you don't have to go alone
In life's troubled, angry ways
I'll hold you close and walk with you
Through all your living days

"Remember when you came to me
and pledged to me your soul
You declared me center of your life
And my kingdom as your goal

"And since that day I've been with you
Through all your pain and strife
I love you too much to let you go
That's why I gave my life."

"Lord," I said, "these things I know
I have no doubts at all
I wonder, though, if You love me so
Why must I sometimes fall?

"Why, since You loved me enough
To give Your precious life,
Do You let me struggle on so long
Through disappointment, pain, and strife?"

He said, "My child, there's a reason why
I let you suffer some
Although it hurts me just as much
The pain must sometimes come.

"It's so that you will come to know
All the wisdom you need in life
Strength to help you travel on
And knowledge to survive

"Remember once you loved a girl
But she held another's hand
The thought of her with someone else
Was more than you could stand

"The pain you felt so late at night
As you cried in misery
Is the same pain I feel every time
You turn your eyes from me

"I had to teach you this, my child
So you would stay close to me
I never want to see you go
Because I love you completely

"When I see you walk in the ways of men
And not by the Father's will
It grieves my heart and makes me ache
But, oh, I love you still

"You learned your lesson well that day
And all that after came
Use what you have learned for those
Who suffer from the same."

I said, "Lord, You have taught me well
And in my heart I now understand
And I'm thankful for all You've done for me
By Your swift and mighty hand

"My love for You is greater, Lord,
Than it ever was before
And my love will grow even greater now
Each time I must endure."

I will remember all He taught
And all He will teach me still
I will remember in faith and love
Sometimes pain is the Master's will