Ofttimes our Father's kinder
In what He takes away,
Than what He might bestow.
He sees what in the future
Of our brief little day
We cannot know.

But if we take the pruning
Because we trust His love,
'Twill not be hard to bear.
We'll understand, and bless Him,
When we are safe above,
For all His care.

Our confidence He seeketh,
Far more than we can tell,
Yea, for our good alone.
Then may He mould, and shape us;
We know it will be well
For all His own.

Helen McDowell