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Surprise lily!

This beautiful lavender pink lily greeted me this morning! I don't remember planting it - certainly not where it is growing now, so it is a marvelous surprise! It reminded me of a poem by William Cowper, which is the text for hymn 667 in The Hymnal 1982, as well as for hymns in several other books.
[And yes, it's in the public domain!]


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1 Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; it is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings: when comforts are declining, he grants the soul again a season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.

2 In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue the theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new; set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say, let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.

3 It can bring with it nothing but he will bear us through: who gives the lilies clothing will clothe his people, too: beneath the spreading heavens no creature but is fed; and he who feeds the ravens will give his children bread.

4 Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear, though all the fields should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there; yet, God the same abiding, his praise shall tune my voice; for, while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.


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