This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O! to be like Thee, O! to be like Thee,

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness

Stamp Thine own image deep in my heart.

O! to be like Thee, full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.

O! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,

Holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,

Willing to suffer, others to save.

O! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,

Now to receive th’anointing divine,

All that I am and have I am bringing,

Lord, from the moment all shall be Thine.

O! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,

Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,

Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Marilyn Showalter and Etta Fern Miller — if you are out there somewhere and reading this — I want you to know that those mornings together, the prayers and the tears and the music are so much a part of who I am today, and I remember with gratefulness the contribution you two had on my life.  I will always love you!