Not Knowing

"Not Knowing"

I know not what shall befall me, God hangs a mist o'er my eyes;
And so, each step in mine onward path, He makes new scenes to rise,
And every joy He sends me comes As a strange and sweet surprise.

I see not a step before me, As I tread on another year;
But the past is still in God's keeping - The future, His mercy shall clear.
And what looks dark in the distance, May brighten as I draw near.

For perhaps the dreaded future Has less bitter than I think;
The Lord may sweeten the waters Before I stoop to drink;
Or, if Marah must be Marah, He will stand beside the brink.

Oh, restful, blissful ignorance! 'Tis blessed not to know!
It keeps me so still in those arms Which will not let me go,
And hushes my soul to rest On the bosom that loves me so.

So I go on, not knowing - I would not if I might!
I'd rather walk in the dark with God Than walk alone in the light.
I'd rather walk with him by faith Than walk alone by sight.

My heart shrinks back from trials That the future may disclose;
Yet I never had a sorrow But what the dear Lord chose;
So I send the coming tears back With the whispered words, "HE KNOWS."

-Mary Gardiner (1872)