God Knows Best

Sometime, when all life’s lessons have been learned,

And sun and stars forever more have set,

The things which our weak judgments here have spurned,

The things o’er which we grieved with lashes wet,

Will flash before us out of life’s dark night,

As stars shine most in deepest tints of blue,

And we shall see how all God’s plans were right,

And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

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.

Even as prudent parents disallow,

Too much of sweet to craving babyhood,

So, God, perhaps, is keeping from us now,

Life’s richest thing 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 this portion 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 bear your sorrow with obedient grace.

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath,

Is not the richest gift God sends His friend,

But that sometimes the sable pall of death

Conceals the richest 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 the key.

But not to-day.  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 calyxes of gold.

And if, through patient toil, we reach that land,

Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, shall rest,

Where we shall clearly know and understand,

I think that we will say, “God Knew the Best.”

            - Mary Louise Riley Smith[1]

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[1] Mary Louise Riley Smith, the author, was born in Brighton, Monroe County, New York in 1842. She was educated at Brockport (New York) Collegiate Institute. In 1869 married Albert Smith, of Springfield, Illinois, with whom she afterward removed to New York City. She published A Gift of Gentians, and other Verses (New York, 1882), and The Inn of Rest (1888). Some of her short poems, notably Tired Mothers, (see p. 258) have been widely popular.  (Source: famousamericans.net)