Is This Not Love?

I was reading through some illustrations this afternoon and ran across this one. It ministered to me, so I thought I'd share it here.

Is This Not Love?

To kiss the hands that smite,
To pray for them that persecute,

To hear the voice of blame,
Reap undeserved shame,
And still be mute—
Is this not love?

To give for evil good,
To learn what sacrifice can teach,

To be the scoffer's sport,
Nor strive to make retort
To angry speech—
Is this not love?

To face the harsh world's harms,
To brave its bitterness for years,

To be an unthanked slave,
And gain at last a grave
Unwet by tears—
Is this not love?

—Susie M. Betts

—Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations