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And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,
God’s plans go on as best for you and me;
How when we called, He
heeded not our cry,
Because His wisdom to the end could see.
And
e’en as prudent parents disallow
Too much of sweet to craving
babyhood;
So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now
Life’s sweetest
things, because it seemeth good.
And if, sometimes, commingled with life’s
wine,
We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink,
Be sure a wiser hand
than yours or mine
Pours out the potion for our lips to drink;
And if
some friend we love is lying low,
Where human kisses cannot reach his
face,
Oh, do not blame the loving Father so,
But wear your sorrows with
obedient grace.
And you shall shortly know that lengthened
breath
Is not the sweetest gift God sends His friend,
And that,
sometimes, the sable pall of death
Conceals the fairest boon His love can
send.
If we could push ajar the gates of life,
And stand within and all
God’s workings see,
We could interpret all this doubt and
strife,
And for each mystery could find a key.
But not today. Then be content, poor heart;
“God’s plans like lilies pure and white unfold;
We must not
tear the close shut leaves apart;
Time will reveal the cayxes of gold.
And if through patient toil we reach the land
Where tired feet, with
sandals loose, may rest,
Where we shall clearly know and understand,
I
think that we will say that God knew best.”