Margaret Clarkson was a gifted Christian writer who penned hundreds of poems, articles, and hymns. Her name was mentioned in one of the episodes of the “Crisis, Christ, and Confidence” series that I have been sharing here. I was compelled to find out more about her after Dr. Peter Lillback shared a quote which, to me, revealed a woman of strong faith and a high regard for the sovereignty of God.

In the preface to her book, “Grace Grows Best in Winter“, which I have just started, she writes, “This is a book of help for those who must live with a continuing problem of suffering, of whatever kind. It seeks to lead sufferers so to discover and to embrace the character of God that they will be enabled to live triumphantly within the hedge of suffering wherein He has placed them, and from which in His inscrutable sovereignty He has not yet seen fit to release them.” I’ve only just started and had to stop and share this poem. I hope to share more about her, and her work in the near future.

O for a faith that will not shrink
  Tho pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
  Of any earthly woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain
  Beneath the chast'ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain
  Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear
  When tempests rage without, 
That, when in danger, knows no fear, 
  In darkness feels no doubt; 

A faith that keeps the narrow way
  Til life's last spark is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
  Lights up a dying bed; 

Lord, give me such a faith as this, 
  And then, whate'er may come, 
I'll taste e'en now the hallowed bliss
  Of an eternal home.  

Margaret Clarkson, “Grace Grows Best in Winter”, Grand Rapids, Michigan. WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, page 23.