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Annie Johnson Flint

Fragrant Grace

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He giveth more grace
James 4:6

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labours increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.


This is part of the biography of Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) who wrote words of the beautiful hymn 'He giveth more grace'

After high school, she spent one year in teacher training and had a position offered to her, but felt that she was really needed at home. Later in her second year of teaching, arthritis began to show itself. She grew steadily worse until it became difficult for her to walk at all, and she was soon obliged to give up her work, followed by three years of increasing helplessness. The death of both of her adoptive parents within a few months of each other left Annie and her sister alone again. There was little money in the bank, and the twice-orphaned children had come to a real “Red Sea place” in their lives.

Picture if you can the hopelessness of Annie’s position when she finally received the verdict of the doctors from the Clifton Springs Sanitarium — that henceforth she would be a helpless invalid. Her own parents had been taken from her in childhood, and her foster parents had both passed away. Her one sister was very frail and struggling to meet her own situation bravely. In later years, she always stated that her poems were born of the needs of others and not from her own need; but one knows full well that she never could have written as she did for the comfort and help of thousands of others if she had not had the background of facing those very crises in her own life.

Her verses provided a solace for her in the long hours of suffering. Then she began making hand-lettered cards and gift books, and decorating some of her own verses. Testimonies came from many directions of blessing received, so two card publishers printed some of her greetings and released the first little brochure of her poems. The publication of
her booklets and the action of the Sunday School Times linked her up with a worldwide fellowship, and she carried most of the correspondence, though one wonders how she could get a pen through those poor twisted fingers. Her letters were as rich as her poems, always bringing a touch of humor that was refreshing. She loved to give to others, but was reluctant to receive, even though she suffered great times of trial and testing. Eventually she gained new understanding and learned how to share the hard moments of her life with others who could not understand the hardships of their lives. She put into poetry words that she titled, “What God Hath Promised.” And through those words and many others, she became convinced that God intended to glorify Himself through her in her weak, earthen vessel; and like Paul, she gained real assurance and could say with the apostle, the promise granted to him: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” She could also say with Paul, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” She believed that God had laid her aside for a purpose, even though that purpose was obscure to her at times.

The marvelous thing is that Annie’s faith never faltered, and that she was at all times able to say, “Thy will be done.”
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,


For the fuller biography
He Giveth More Grace | Homecoming Magazine
 
The Lord put the writings of Annie Flint in my life years ago. What a blessing! She did not right in spite of her infirmities it was those very infirmities that enabled her to write as she did. I think of Psalm 119 where God uses our suffering to draw us closer to Him. Now I ponder the closeness of Annie's relationship with God with her life riddled with infirmity. What a great love story.

Though we may waiver He remaineth steadfast,
and all His words are sure;
From everlasting unto everlasting
His promises endure.

Though we may wander, He will not forsake us,
Truer than earthly friend;
He never fails our trust for having loved us,
He loves us unto the end.

Unto the end; we doubt Him, we deny Him,
We wound Him; we forget;
We get some earthly idol up between us
Without one faint regret.

And when it falls and crumbles,and in anguish
We seek this changeless friend,
Lo, He receives us, comforts and forgives us,
And loves us to the end.

A.J Flint
 
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