| The Every Day of Life |
Chapter 18 |
Page 6 |
These are a few illustrations of the truth that the best things of life are oftentimes found in conditions that are not thought to be kindly or congenial, while in conditions regarded by men and women as exceptionally favorable and desirable there often lurks subtle perils to life’s highest good. This truth lets in strong light upon some of God’s ways with his people. He does not allow them to be hurt, even by kindness. He breaks the prosperity, that its bane may not leave poison in our lives. He gives us changes, that we may not forget him, but that the consciousness of our dependence upon him may never fade out. He thwarts us when we would let our own folly rule us, and baffles us when our selfish ambitions would only work our ruin. He breaks into our plans and schemes with the resistless requirements of his own will, to save us from the willfulness, which would destroy us. He lets us have hardship and toil, that our lives may be disciplined into strength and energy.
These are not pleasant interference’s, for they break into our cherished hopes, and cut oftentimes into our heart; but they are blessings, which some day in the clearer light of the future we shall recognize and for which we shall give thanks. Our heart shall then sing:–
“Lord, for the erring thought
Not into evil wrought;
Lord, for the wicked will.
Betrayed and baffled still;
For the heart from itself kept,
Our thanksgivings accept.
For ignorant hopes that were
Broken to our blind prayer;
For pain, death, sorrow sent
Unto our chastisement;
For all loss of seeming good,
Quicken our gratitude.”
Page 6