"A Prayer," by George MacDonald

When I look back upon my life nigh spent,

    Nigh spent, although the stream as yet flows on,

I more of follies than of sins repent,

    Less for offence than Love’s shortcomings moan.

    With self, O Father, leave me not alone—

Leave not with the beguiler the beguiled;

    Besmirched and ragged, Lord, take back thine own:

A fool I bring thee to be made a child.

From The Poetical Works of George MacDonald,1893

   George MacDonald was a Scottish pastor and author who had a powerful impact upon the life and thought of C.S. Lewis.  Lewis credits him with being instrumental in the conversion of his imagination (before any of the rest of him was ready to come to faith in the Lord Jesus).

   The line, "Less for offence than Love's shortcomings moan," rings so true for me.  Not that there are not still plenty of offenses to confess.  But I am so often grieved by sins of omission — what love owes, and longs to give, to the One who first loved us, and yet I fall short through neglect or laziness or distraction.

   Does not our dear Savior deserve the best of our love and devotion every moment of every day?

   And then the last line: "A fool I bring thee to be made a child."  Forgiveness is a blessed reality whenever we ask, and with it restoration to the sweet fellowship of our Father in heaven.