John did not say,
“When you have perfect love,
fear will never come to visit.”
But: “Perfect love casts out fear.”
Fear knocks, maybe each moment more;
It comes again, again, again.
When love is perfect, it comes fast
As fear comes fast
And throws it out—
Again.

Văn did not say,
“When you have joy,
sadness will never make its face known.”
But: “Change sadness into joy.”
Sadness slithers in, one day, one hour, one minute;
It comes again, again, again.
The Christian invitation is to take it,
Each time it comes,
And change it into joy—
Again.

Our Lord did not say,
“Those who have come to Me,
will have banished that which is not rest.”
But: “Come to Me all who labour, and I will give you rest.”
While engaged in labouring in love,
He is with us; if we turn to Him
Any moment of the day
He gives us rest—
Then and there.