“In Everything Give Thanks”
By Flora E. Warren
WE may not see why skies are dark and gloomy;
We may not know why angry billows roll;
We may not see why sorrow’s rushing torrent
Should sweep away the gladness of the soul;
But looking through the rift before our face,
We yet may see the sunshine of His grace. We stand, perhaps, and gaze across the valley
At heights we hoped to gain long, long before;
Our cherished plans of love, or wealth, or glory,
Have fallen in the dust, and are no more;
Yet, what had seemed a glorious victory,
Might have been death — if only we could see. We may not see the swelling undercurrent
That bears the pearly stream upon its way;
We may not know the Hand that holds the waters,
Or turns the dreary darkness into day;
Yet in the shadow, as in sunshine fair,
We may behold our Lord — for He is there. Shall we as unhewn stones, all rough and shapeless,
Refuse the chisel in the Sculptor’s hand?
Shall we as vessels filled with all uncleanness,
Refuse their cleansing at our Lord’s command?
May He who knows the ending of the way,
Direct our minds, and teach us thus to pray: We thank Thee, Father, for the darksome day;
We thank Thee for the roughness of the way;
We thank Thee for harsh word — for pain or wo;
We praise Thee, for Thy way is best, we know,
To us Thy Spirit’s grace and power send,
That we may thank and praise Thee to the end.
Amen.
FLORA E. WARREN.