# Oh Thou of Little Faith explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

A comforting meditation on faith and divine love, urging the sorrowful heart to trust in God's care despite present darkness, using the metaphor of the snowdrop buried in snow awaiting spring and the certainty of summer's arrival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Spiritual Struggle and Doubt

The chapter addresses a 'sad-hearted' listener struggling with faith, urging them to trust in God's love despite present hardship.

### Love as Ultimate Strength

The speaker's love for God and the assurance of God's love for the listener are presented as the foundation for rest and hope.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who offers reassurance and expresses love for God.

### God

The divine source of love and rest, described as our summer and dim-visioned Best.

## Key lines

> Sad-hearted, be at peace: the snowdrop lies Buried in sepulchre of ghastly snow; But spring is floating up the southern skies, And darkling the pale snowdrop waits below.

Do not despair, sorrowful one; though the snowdrop is hidden under the cold snow, spring is already approaching, and the flower will soon emerge.

_Uses the image of a buried snowdrop to illustrate hope in the midst of winter's desolation._

> I love God, and half I rest. O better! God loves thee, so all rest thou.

I find some peace in my love for God, but you can find complete peace because God loves you.

_Contrasts partial rest from human love with full rest from divine love._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/oh-thou-of-little-faith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters