| Strength and Beauty |
Chapter 17 |
Page 6 |
Of another thing we may be sure also, when we see God’s hand in the taking from us of the things we love, – that there is compensation, some better thing in place of that which is removed. We may be poorer for what has been taken away, but what God does for his children he does in love. We need not trouble ourselves to seek reasons – it is better for us to believe so confidently in our Father’s love that not a shadow of doubt or fear shall ever pass over us, whatever the disappointment or the failure of hope may be. When God shuts a door it would better be shut – we could find no true good in forcing it open. When God takes anything from us it is better so – let us not doubt it. Some day it will all be plain to us – part of it in this world, no doubt, and all of it from the hilltops of heaven.
We need never fear that God in his love mars any of our blessings. Sometimes we are tempted to think that he does. He gives us something very sweet, and just when we have begun to understand its value, and when it has become necessary to our happiness, almost to our very life, he takes it away. In our deep sense of loss we say we cannot see how there can be goodness or love in such taking away of a gift. We cannot see, but we may safely trust God – who both gave and then took it away. When we get the blessing again it will be all the better for having been withdrawn for a time.
“He lends not; but gives to the end,
As he loves to the end. If it seem
That he draws back a gift, comprehend
‘Tis to add to it rather–amend,
And finish it up to your dream,–
Or keep–as a mother will toys
Too costly, though given by herself,
Till the room shall be stiller from noise,
And the children more fit for such joys,
Kept over their heads on a shelf.”
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