Poems (Kimball)/We do not Know

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

WE DO NOT KNOW.

DEAR child, dear child, we do not know
Why sorrows come and pleasures go,
Why oft we fail when most we try,
   But God knows why
And we shall all know by and by.

We do not know, we cannot tell,
But oh the Father knoweth well
Why one is rich and one is fair,
   One sick with care,
And this world's poor are everywhere.

We walk in darkness but He sees
And shows us gently by degrees
And step by step the hidden way,
   If we but pray,
"Lord, make me follow Thee alway."

We must be patient till the end
And leave to Him the way we wend;
For never here our eyes can see
   The plan that He
In mercy plans for you and me.

Our best is ill, our worst perhaps
His pity cottons a lesser lapse;
But every sin is very black
   And turns us back
From duty's straight and shining track.

Sweet is the fear that will not dare
Forget His law or spurn His care,
And sweeter still the love that saith
   With every breath,
"Lord, make me faithful unto death."