Until recently I wasn’t familiar with Miss Anna L. Waring (1823-1910). She was a woman of various talents and was involved in multiple interests.
Anna was a Welsh poet and hymn writer. She was a philanthropist who supported and was personally active in a prison ministry. She was a serious student who learned Hebrew to study Old Testament in the original language.
Anna was known by peers for her compassion, good humor, and actions commited to doing good. Today I appreciate her poetry that expresses her beliefs and relationship with God.
I believe poet Anna Waring drew inspiration from Psalm 23 and other Scriptures and knew hope beyond measure. I also think she experienced God’s peace even in the midst of life’s storms. Anna followed the Good Shepherd, and her confidence and hope was in Him.
I am blessed by one of her poems shown below. It reminds me that, like the poet, I cannot measure hope God gives when I abide in heavenly love.
IN HEAVENLY LOVE ABIDING
“In Heavenly Love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear,
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?
Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim,
— He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.
Green pastures are before me,
Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where the dark clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure,
My path to life is free,
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.”
(Anna L. Waring)
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23: 1-6)