A Woman of God and for His Glory
I'd like to introduce you to a woman of great faith and a heart of the deep things of God, Anne Steele. Anne was born in 1717 in Broughton, Hampshire, England. Because of her love for the Lord, she wrote many poems to Him... I suppose in her times of prayer and worship. Her highly honed skills led her to become a hymn writer and an essayist. I love her pen name.. so refined and elegant sounding .. she wrote under the name of Theodosia which means giver of God.... and she certainly did!A further study of her life reveals the following:
'Her father was a timber merchant, and at the same time officiated as the lay pastor of the Baptist Society at Broughton. Her mother died when she was 3. At the age of 19 she became an invalid after injuring her hip. At the age of 21 she was engaged to be married but her fiance drowned the day of the wedding. On the occasion of his death she wrote the hymn ""When I survey life's varied scenes." After the death of her fiance she assisted her father with his ministry and remained single. Despite her sufferings she maintained a cheerful attitude. She published a book of poetry Poems on subjects chiefly devotional in 1760 under the pseudonym "Theodosia." The remaining works were published after her death, they include 144 hymns, 34 metrical psalms, and about 50 poems on metrical subjects.'Can't you just see the suffering and sadness in her eyes... what a tragic life, yet her heart remained full of the glory of God and love for her savior, Jesus!
One of my favorite of her hymns goes like this!
1 And can my heart aspire so high
To say—My Father, God?
Lord, at Thy feet, I fain would lie,
And learn to kiss the rod.
2 I would submit to all Thy will,
For thou art good and wise;
Let each rebellious thought be still,
Nor one faint murmur rise.
3 Thy love can cheer the darkest gloom,
And bid me wait serene,
Till hopes and joys immortal bloom,
And brighten all the scene.
4 My Father, God, permit my heart
To plead her humble claim,
And ask the bliss those words impart,
In my Redeemer's name.
When I contemplate these words my heart swells within me, and I turn to prayer that I may be so humble and so content in the Father's love and presence!..
Each week for a while I plan to share another hymn or writing from Anne.. I hope it will bless you and give you peace in these troubling times!
