pieces of heaven

God hath not promised
Skies always blue
Flower stewn pathways
All our lives through
God hath not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow
Peace without pain

But God hath promised
Strength for the day
Rest for the labor
Light for the way
Grace for the trials
Help from above
Unfailing sympathy
Undying love

~Annie Johnson Flint

i came across this poem awhile ago and it encouraged me so much that i had to copy it down. seeing it sitting next to the computer, i thought that perhaps it might encourage someone who is needing a boost today. it's funny how, when life is going splendidly, you get so caught up in it that you don't even think of the possibility that things will change. yet they always do...stress invades, a family member becomes ill, you get into a fight with a loved one...life and it's joys ebs and flows. sometimes we get treated with a whole bunch of months of joy in a row before sadness or anxiety returns. for me, the thing that helps me cope is to remember that this world is not my home. it's a fallen world, so it's impossible for us to feel the constant joy that He created us to feel. only when we leave this earth will we truly find the life He meant for us to live from the very beginning. until then, it's up to us to be thankful for the pieces of heaven that He reveals to us daily, and to help others see the same.