Reckoning

(Romans 8:18)

Counted —

All counted — hairs,

Sparrows’ falls, and tears,

Stars, stumbling sheep;

He knows their number,

Does not slumber,

Does not sleep.

And we,

Who, nightly counting,

Tally losses slowly mounting,

Numbering trials, griefs, and pains,

Fail to reckon,

Fail to see our Keeper beckon

As He sums the heavenly gains.

— Suzanne Terpstra Looyenga