IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1879

“IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.”

“It might have been,” impatient heart, Still fretting o’er the buried past, Seeking in life some brighter part Than where thy lot is cast, And vainly turning back again, To make the wrong and error plain.

“It might have been!” Nay, think not so; For all that had been was ordained, And each day’s share of joy and woe Fits in where wisely planned;— The perfect whole we yet shall see, When that shall come that is to be.

Each error past, each blind offense, May be themselves the means and way Set by the wisest Providence— Guides to a better day, Leading through weakness unto strength, And through the dark to light at length;

To light and truth, to peace and rest, If but with resolute step and sure We follow now what we know best, Contented to endure; Nor shrink and tremble in dismay To see how rough and hard the way;

Nor sit disheartened by the road, To tell our losses past with tears— Our “might have beens:” leave all with God, Turn to the coming years; Yes, leave the past with humble trust, To do and suffer what we must:

To meet each day as it is sent, And bravely take our portioned share— Though hidden to us the full intent,— That each must do or bear; Sure, if we each do what we can, ’Tis part in some great, noble plan.

Nor vainly our poor hearts perplex With thinking how it “might have been;” Oh! useless pain our souls to vex, From holier truths to win! With God’s great wisdom ruling all, How could our “might have beens” befall?

—Selected.