In the novel, A Daily Rate, Grace L. Hill writes about Celia, a young woman who takes on a boarding house in the early years of the last century (before “Five and Dime” stores). She has a vision to provide the best environment for those who rent rooms from her. She even puts forth the effort to uplift her boarders, including some shop girls.
After some “one-on-one time” with a particular young girl, she brings her aunt, Hannah, some questions.
The conversation follows: “But, auntie,” said Celia, doubtfully, “do you believe I can ever accomplish anything?”
Hannah replies: “Remember, Celia, it is his work. You have not to do with the end of it, nor are any results in your hand. Don’t you know he says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
After I read that verse I always feel comforted to do the work without seeing the results, knowing that God has planned all that out from the beginning, and all I have to do is to execute the little part of the plan which he has entrusted to my hand.”
(A Daily Rate, p. 106 in Three Complete Novels in One Arrangement by Barbour and Company, Inc. 1990)