The Bitter and the Sweet

Don’t expect all of the joy to come your way,

Don’t expect trouble to pass up your doorway

Don’t look for blue skies forever above you,

Rejoice in the few friends who know you and love you;

Make much of the roses that fall to your reaping

But don’t lose your faith when it’s your time for weeping.

Don’t expect life to be sunshine and laughter

There’s seldom a joy but a care follows after;

Make much of the loved ones who tenderly kiss you

But don’t expect trouble and heartache to miss you.

Be ready for grief; it may find you tomorrow,

Don’t call life unjust when it’s your time for sorrow

The sorrows of life are as sure as its pleasures,

And each in his turn shall drink out of both measures.

Drink deep of the sweet when it’s your day for sweetness,

But still be prepared to know life in completeness;

Don’t rail at your God when it’s your day for sighing

And don’t lose your faith when your soul He is trying.