Sometime
Sometime when all life’s lessons have been learned.
And sun and stars forevermore 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 deeper 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,
And ev’n as prudent parents disallow
Too much of sweet to craving babyhood,
So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now
Some wanted 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 this potion for our lips to drink;
And if someone we love is lying low,
Where human kisses cannot reach the face,
O do not blame the loving Father so,
But wear your sorrow with obedient grace!
And you will shortly know that lengthened breath
Is not the sweetest gift God gives 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 calyxes of gold.
And if, through patient toil, we reach the land
Where tired feet with sandals loosed may rest,
When we shall clearly know and understand,
I think that we shall say, “God knew the best.”
—May W. Smith.
Alternate Reading: Acts 14: 8-17.